Clogged Gutters & How They Lead to Basement Flooding in Michigan
The whole point of your gutter's existence is to funnel water away from your foundation.
Right now it's fall in Michigan, and the colorful leaves are a beautiful sight to see - but if your gutters are clogged by these leaves and debris, and they fail to do their job, water will start overflowing onto the ground. Then the water will start pooling around your foundation, which is not good.
For some, this could eventually cause flooding in their basement due to the increase water in the soil. For others, this could mean water leaking in slowly through cracks or rod holes. The water could even erode your foundation wall, weakening it and causing structural damage.
And remember: moisture in your basement = mold and mildew.
When the soil surrounding the home becomes saturated, it creates a pressure pushing against your foundation. This is called hydrostatic pressure, and it pushes water through the floor and walls.
*But remember, cleaning or upgrading your gutters helps keep water away from your foundation, but it won't completely prevent water intrusion! If water is leaking into your basement, only a waterproofing system will fully curb water seepage.*
Either way, clogged gutters cause damage, but it's totally preventable.
So remember, always clean your gutters!
