If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t spend a lot of time scrutinizing the exterior of your house for problems. And of all the elements of your home’s exterior, the downspouts are some of the easiest to neglect, even during key spring and fall gutter maintenance.
Take a moment right now to check your downspouts. You might need gutter repair if you notice any of the following problems:
Eroded Landscaping or Water Pooling Near a Downspout
Walk around the outside of your home and inspect each downspout for signs of disturbed landscaping. Missing mulch or eroded soil could indicate that water is not effectively channeling away from your home’s foundation.
Similarly, water pooling on the sidewalk near a downspout could signify improper drainage. During the winter, snow melting and draining from the roof could freeze as it drips onto the sidewalk, creating a slippery safety hazard.
Water Cascading Over the Gutters During Heavy Rain
A wire strainer should be installed at the top of each downspout where it connects to the gutter. This fixture prevents leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging downspouts and buried drainage systems.
During the next heavy rainfall, grab an umbrella and head outside. If you see water cascading over the sides of the gutters while the flow of water exiting the downspout is minimal, you could have a clogged downspout on your hands. Ignoring this problem could lead to stained siding, a damaged foundation and flooding in the basement.
When it stops raining, bring out a ladder and climb up to see what you find. Hopefully, leaves have merely filled the gutter, which you can scoop out while wearing work gloves and clear the path to the downspout. However, if the wire strainer is missing, leaves may also have created a clog further down the spout, requiring a professional’s help to unclog.
You can keep the gutters and downspout clean and free of debris by having gutter guards installed. With this upgrade, your gutter maintenance requirements decrease drastically.
Gaping Joints in the Downspout
Traditional downspouts have seams that can separate over time, causing leaks with every rainfall. A gutter repair may be able to reconnect and seal the joints. Other times, the damage is severe enough that you need to replace your downspouts.
Seamless gutter installation tailors your drainage system to meet your home’s needs without joints that could come apart and leak. This could be a good option the next time you replace your gutters and downspouts.
Leaks in the Basement or Crawlspace
If rainwater fails to adequately drain away from your home, sooner or later, the foundation will begin to crack. This could lead to water leaks and mold growth in the basement or crawl space, both of which can threaten the structural integrity of your home. Check for wet walls, high humidity and mold growth in the underground parts of your home to discover and repair foundation leaks before it’s too late.
Gutter & Downspout Repair in Albany, NY
Keeping up with routine gutter maintenance and installing gutter guards can help prevent problems with your downspouts. This, in turn, helps to safeguard your home and keep the foundation in good condition. However, despite your best efforts, you may still require gutters services on occasion.
When you do, turn to Builders Installed Products for professional gutter repair in the Albany, New York area. We can redirect your downspouts to prevent soil erosion, remove clogs, seal leaky gutters and install leaf protection systems to help you avoid future problems. No matter what gutter services you need, Builders Installed Products can help! Contact us today to learn more.
