Rain Gutters are underappreciated. Many people think rain gutters are simply to prevent the water from running off the roof from splashing on your head when you in and out of your house.
Actually, the main purpose of gutters is to collect water from the roof and move it away from your home’s foundation.
But, my foundation is concrete, so what’s a little water? Concrete is actually porous and standing water will eventually soak into the concrete, freeze in winter and cause deterioration. Over the long term, this can cause your foundation to crack and fall apart.
Gutters collect rainwater and then send it to downspouts, that should then direct rain away from your foundation. Too often I see gutters that are full of leaves and debris. When it rains, the gutters get heavy and become separated from the house.
Gutter Inspection in PEI
Another common problem is the gutters are there, but the downspouts are broken or missing. This can cause rainwater to actually accumulate at the house’s foundation and cause foundation damage. And even if the downspouts are intact, some are not set up to properly direct water to move away from the foundation.
Downspout directing water toward foundation instead of away.
So when rain is in the forecast, make sure your gutters are free and clear of debris, attached well, with working downspouts. Your foundation is counting on it!
