Whole In One provides many gutter cleaning and repair services.
Gutters on a roof do more than prevent you from being drenched
when you enter or leave a house in a rainstorm; they collect
rainwater and lead it safely away from the foundation.
Perhaps the most common cause of a wet basement is either
the absence or failure of the system of gutters, downspouts
and leaders.
It's not uncommon for so-called professionals to charge many
thousands of dollars to waterproof a basement without first
checking for the source of the water. One person I was told
of spent over $2000 to do the job only to find that his neighbour,
only 20 feet away, solved the same problem simply by adding
an extension to his downspout to carry rainwater away from
the foundation. (I wonder if he directed the water to his
neighbour's yard?!)
A number of materials are used in the manufacture of rain gutters,
and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of
the material, all gutters need regular maintenance, and any problems
that occur should be tended to quickly. Perhaps the most obvious
problem is a clogged downspout. This can be determined when rain pours
over the edge of the gutter, rather than down and out the spout.
When this occurs, a number of serious problems can appear.
If the back of the gutter is lower than the front edge, water
will run over onto the outside wall. Any cracks and holes in the wall will
catch the water and lead it quickly inside the house. Even if the water
does not show up on an inside wall, it can still cause rot within the wall.
If a gutter is clogged with water before a freeze, the ice that forms can damage
or ruin the gutter in short order. Always check your gutters after all the
leaves have fallen in the fall and before the freezing weather sets in.
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