Clogged Gutters Could Be Affecting Your Foundation

Your gutters could affect your basement. Gutters may seem like they are too far from the basement to cause any basement issues, but your gutters can play a large role in basement water and foundation problems.

Clogged gutters may be at the forefront of our minds in the fall when leaves are falling, but it’s important to clean your gutters in both the fall and the spring. If gutters are clogged, water is not properly directed away from your home. When water is not properly directed, it can cause foundation problems. When water pools next to your foundation, it increases the soil pressure against your foundation. Whether your foundation is block or poured, this increased pressure is problematic.

First, increased water pressure against your foundation, can cause water to eventually seep through your foundation and into your basement or crawl space. From there, the problems can be quite obvious. Water in your basement or crawl space creates the perfect environment for mold. Remember, due to the stack effect, if it’s in your crawl space, it’s in your home. Not only is the mold bad for your health, but it can also threaten the structural integrity of your home.

Secondly, the increased pressure can cause bowing walls. Common signs of bowing walls are horizontal or stair-step cracks in your foundation. The integrity of bowing foundation is weak and must be repaired.

There are a few steps you can take to help avoid serious water or foundation problems. First, clean your gutters out in both the spring and fall, especially before heavy rainfall. Secondly, try a downspout extension. Extending your downspout into the yard and away from your foundation can help prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up near your foundation.

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