Have you ever entered your basement and felt the damp, musty air hit you in the face? You are not the only one. Wet basements are a major problem that homeowners face, although it seems tempting to think that something located in the building, such as a faulty pipe or improper insulation, could be the cause, the actual offender can be something much simpler and often ignored; your gutters.
Yes, your gutters.
The majority of individuals do not comprehend the relationship between an exterior water management system of a home and interior moisture-related problems, particularly in basements and crawl spaces. Once your gutter system is blocked, improperly sloped, or lacking the necessary features, such as splash blocks or the elongation of outpipes, rainwater will have nothing to flow but down-right into the foundation of your house.
The Hidden Link Between Gutters and Basement Dampness
It works like this: a storm collects a massive amount of rainwater on your roof. Gutters exist to direct that water to lead safely away from your home. However, when they are clogged with leaves, earth or rubble, the water overflows on the edge, and this gathers at the bottom of your house.
In the long term, this excessive moisture soaks through the soil and exerts pressure on your foundation walls. The result? It is that same musty smell, peeling paint, not to mention mould growing in your basement. On extreme occasions, it may cause cracks in the foundation or structural damage.
Downspouts and Splash Blocks Matter Too
Short or wrongly directed downspouts can prove problematic even in the event that your gutters are cleared. When the downspouts spew the water a mere foot or two away from your house, you are virtually splashing gallons of water in your basement area. On the same note, absent splash blocks have no course of guiding the flow of water away, thus enabling it to seep into your soil in the vicinity of the foundation.
Prevention Starts at the Roofline
The good news is that with proper maintenance, this is easy to cover up. Preliminary maintenance of gutters and periodical inspection can help avoid thousands of dollars of damage due to water. And with Naperville, reliable gutter cleaners in Naperville will also make sure your gutters and downspouts are up to the task throughout the year.
Signs Your Gutters May Be Causing Basement Moisture
Do you suspect your gutters are to blame? Try to find these symptoms:
- Blocked gutters when it is raining heavily
- External water stains on your walls
- Puddling/ Erosion along the foundation
- Your basement has mildew or efflorescence
- Mouldy smells, even on a sunny day
Don’t Wait for a Flood
Moisture in the basement is not only annoying, but it is an indication of something worse. It may cause severe problems that affect the safety of your house, air quality and resale. The easiest thing? Begin with the best. Clean your gutters, elongate your downspouts and have splash blocks.
Because it is sometimes, not in your basement at all– merely a few feet above it
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