Five Phrases to Decide if Your Gutters Need Inspection

Problems due to gutters not doing their job are something we don’t want you to have to think about, because when they come along, that’s all you’ll be thinking about. Awareness of the signs of early gutter problems is key to avoiding bigger and more complicated problems.

Here are 5 simple ways to remember signs that your gutters need professional inspection:

“If the water is showing, then it ain’t properly flowing!”

Seeing visible water due to overflowing gutters or damage to the flow path is an easily recognizable sign that inspection is needed. While this may seem like something not worth addressing, taking care of initial blockages is crucial to avoiding larger problems that can begin sooner than you may think. Calling a professional is the safest way to handle these smaller issues while ensuring no other issues are present.

“A Downspout that Dumps is a Downspout in Need”

The amount of water that flows through your gutters during a rainstorm is often enough to fill 10 bathtubs. That’s a lot of water, and if your downspouts are not properly equipped to move water away from the house (minimum of 5 feet), the increased pressure on the foundation walls due to concentrated runoff can mean costly repairs. Proper downspout flow direction is something every homeowner needs to consider.

“If Walls are Flaking, then problems it’s Making”

Always first consider the cause of flaking basement walls to be water-related. Flaking is a telltale sign of an improper drainage problem, and one that can be solved through examination of roof and gutter drainage systems. If water seeps too far into the masonry of a foundation (greater than ½”), structural issues can arise. Avoid any further damage by paying attention to early warning signs of this flaking, called “spalling.”

“If You See the Crust, Inspection’s A Must”

Areas of white or gray crust on basement walls are a common sign of “efflorescence,” which are mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water. While this is not as serious as flaking, it is almost always a sign of improper drainage. Essentially, this is the end result of moisture evaporating where water has continually collected around the foundational wall. While not an immediate concern to structural integrity, if left unaddressed it can lead to spalling.

“If the mulch is flowing, the problems are showing”

Yard mulch that shows evidence of water pooling, flooding or forming into channels that carry it into grass or onto concrete is a good sign that drainage is an issue. This is caused by an ineffective gutter and downspout setup that could result in foundational or other issues with walkways and patios. Continual repairs to landscaping and refilling of mulched areas could mean an underlying issue with roof and drainage systems.

Contact the professionals at Fusion Roofing if you need any assistance identifying potential problems or to schedule a free consultation and estimate.