Mould growth is the dread of every homeowner not only because of the health risk, but because it can devalue your home investment. Mould growth in your home can start from excessive dampness in a basement or crawl space where rain water finds its way in through foundation cracks. Mould growth isn't always obvious either, and can start behind the walls, often showing up as a stain or discolouration. There may be an obvious leak or visible condensation, or you may notice seepage in the basement after a rainfall. Once mould starts to grow it can be very difficult to get rid of and can spread throughout your home.
Having properly functioning rain gutters is one of the best defenses against this unwanted circumstance. Because mould can start to grow within 48 hours, it's a serious problem that needs to be prevented. Even if you have existing gutters and downspouts, you should inspect them regularly to make sure they are working properly. Here are a few things to watch for:
1. Puddles: Pooling around your home, especially on ground that slopes toward your foundation is a red flag for action. Water seepage, especially in colder months can cause foundation cracks that can undermine the structural integrity of your home. Make sure that all of the water your gutters collect is sent in the right direction. You'll want to ensure that your perimeter drainage is going to a storm drain or a separate drain line from your interior drainage or septic field so that you can avoid overtaxing the system in the rainy season.
2. Leaks: Seamless gutters are the best way to avoid connection leaks, as well as investing in professional installation. If your gutters aren't installed properly it can mean more repairs and maintenance down the road, instead of decades of trouble free use.
3. Clogged Gutters: We recommend Leafguard products to screen out debris so that the time you spend up on the ladder cleaning gutters is a thing of the past. It also prevents your downspouts from clogging. While most will remember to clean the leaves out of the horizontal spans of gutter, some might forget that unprotected downspouts can get clogged too causing overflows and water build up. Filtering out debris can mean years of trouble free use.
By taking these precautions and keeping these tips in mind, you should be able to keep the foundation of your home dry and sound, reducing the dampness in your home and preventing the start of mould growth. Modern installs seamless gutters on your home which are cut to the perfect length right on site. Fewer joins in your gutter system means less chance of leaks, and a gutter system that will effectively direct the rain from your roof away from the foundation of your home and into your drainage system. If you need your gutters replaced or want to add LeafGuard screens to your existing gutter system, call us for a quote.
