How Do Damaged Gutters Hurt Your Home?

Damaged gutters can be a costly problem for homeowners. Gutters are designed to direct roof water away from your siding, foundation, windows and other vulnerable parts of your home. When gutters start to leak, they are not doing the job they are meant to do, and this can in result in:

– Stains on siding and concrete
– Water-damaged and cracked driveways
– Rotted porches and decks if water leaks on these structures
– Soil erosion
– Swollen or damaged siding
– Damage to your garden or landscaping
– Standing water that can cause clogged gutters, ice dams, mosquito infestations and overflowing gutters
– Gutters wear out and they start to fall off which can cause damage to your fascia, soffit and your roof
– Water will gather along the sides of your house which can lead to basement flooding
– Water pools near the foundation which can cause a cracked or damaged foundation
– Damage to the fascia and roof which can result in wood rot and roof problems

The main point is that leaking gutters cause water to pool and run on your driveway, foundation and other vulnerable places in your house, causing damage. A cracked foundation or soil erosion can cause foundation problems and your home may shift and these problems are notoriously expensive to fix. To fix these financial disasters, it is much more affordable and easier to find a company that performs repair for eavestrough in Oakville.

Why do leaks happen?

There are a number of reasons why leaks can develop. With time, gutters wear down especially if they are not properly maintained. Another main cause for leaks can result from weather damage. If you have a gutter system that is built in sections, the seams used to hold the sections together deteriorate with time which causes leaks. Plastic gutters are not safe either. They get brittle with age developing cracks.

Are your gutters leaking?

To check if your gutters are leaking, start by walking around your home immediately after it stops raining to check if water is falling from your roof where it shouldn’t be. If you notice unusual flow of water from your roof, there can be two reasons why this is happening. One, your gutters could be clogged or they are leaking. If your gutters are leaking, it is time to call a professional. Other signs you can look out for leaking gutters include:

– Water pools around your foundation
– Stains on siding or slabs
– Dampness in your basement or a leak in your basement

Leaks usually take place where the gutter meets a downspout. If your downspouts start to leak, they can cause serious damage to your siding. A more complex problem develops when water start to run inside your walls due to leaks. Some leakages are not easily noticeable but if you find out that your basement is damp, that is a sure sign that it has developed a leak. You need to hire professionals to get to the root of the problem before the situation gets out of hand.

Bottom line

At the first sign of a leak, never try to fix gutter damages by yourself. Contact a professional contractor who will help locate all the leaking spots and deliver the best solution. If you try to fix a leak by yourself, you can end up creating more damage to your gutters which can cost you thousands of dollars to repair the damages caused by water leakages. Furthermore, you will be putting yourself in harm’s way by trying to climb ladders if you are not experienced in matters concerning gutter repair. If you find that you keep repairing your gutters every now and then, it is a sure sign that you need to consider installing new gutters for your home!