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The Dangers of Stagnant Water

Your gutters play an important role in protecting your home. They keep water from accumulating and standing around your home. When you know the dangers of stagnant water, you understand the importance of taking care of your gutters. In addition, making sure they stay free from debris and in good repair!rain falling off house roof

Increased pressure on the foundation.

Are your gutter downspouts depositing water too close to your foundation and allowing it to stagnate? Are they overflowing and allowing water to pool next to your house? If so, that water can put undue pressure on your foundation. If you can see puddles of stagnant water around your home, that means the soil underneath is fully saturated with water. That heavy, water-laden soil can put pressure on the sides of your foundation. Consequently, this can lead to bulging or cracked walls in your basement.

Settling foundation.

The second problem with an accumulation of water against your foundation? Water draining away. If stagnant water has been putting pressure on your foundation, when that water finally drains away, your home’s foundation can shift and settle. A settling foundation can lead to uneven floors and cracks in the walls or foundation. It can also lead to cracks or shifts in other home structures, such as your masonry chimney.

Flooded or moldy basement.

Stagnant water around your home’s foundation also can cause excessive moisture in your basement. That can mean flooding in your basement during rain events, or mold growth along your basement walls. Dampness or flooding in your basement can damage walls and ceilings and ruin furniture. Even destroying flooring or any possessions you might keep stored there. At the very least, all of that excessive moisture can make the environment in your basement unpleasant. This causes damp air and a musty, moldy smell.

Pest growth.

Stagnant water also can have a detrimental effect on your health or the health of your pets. Standing water serves as a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes and flies. Mosquitoes carry a host of diseases that can infect humans, such as West Nile Virus. Plus, mosquitoes can infect your pets with heartworms. When you allow standing water to stagnate near your home, you are inviting pests and the diseases they carry into your backyard!

To prevent stagnant water from accumulating around your home, you need a clean, functioning and properly designed gutter system. Make sure you clean your gutters at least twice a year — or have them fitted with gutter guards to keep debris out. Also, watch for defects in your gutters, such as cracks, sagging and leaking.

If you notice that your gutter system is allowing water to pool and stagnate around your home’s foundation, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule an appointment today! We can evaluate your existing gutter system and come up with a solution that will keep your home and your family safe from the dangers of stagnant water.

Why Is Downspout Placement Important?

So, what is the important role properly installed and cleaned gutters play? Protecting your home and your property from water damage! There is one more gutter factor that plays a role in protecting your home from water: Gutter downspout placement. So, why is gutter downspout placement so important?Why is downspout placement important - Nashville TN - Gutterman of TN

Downspouts need to whisk water away from you home.

Once rainwater or melting snow has poured into your gutters, it needs a place to go. Downspouts determine where the water will discharge from your gutter system and into your yard. A poorly placed downspout can cause a host of issues. These include washing away your landscaping to flooding your basement; even eroding your foundation every time it rains. Downspouts need to empty where the water will flow away from your home. They also should have an additional element that directs water away from your foundation. Whether it is a simple splash block or a more elaborate drainage system, either will work.

Downspouts ensure your gutter system can handle the load of roof runoff.

Downspout placement on a home with a simple roof-line can be pretty straightforward and easy to determine. However, a home with peaks and eaves isn’t as easy. Downspouts that aren’t properly placed can mean overflowing gutters, damaged eaves, rotting soffits, and eroded landscaping.  If you have a more complex roof-line, you need a gutter professional to evaluate the layout of gutters and downspouts. This is to ensure that downspouts are placed at locations that deal with high volumes of water runoff.

Poorly placed downspouts can jeopardize the look of your home.

If you put in a gutter system without giving thought to proper downspout placement, you could be dealing with an eyesore down the road. When downspouts are added as an afterthought, they often are placed in very visible locations. Places such as at the front of a home, next to the porch, or at an exposed corner of the home.

Planning your downspout placement when you plan out your gutter system can help you strategically place downspouts. So, they not only handle a load of stormwater runoff adequately but so they are also placed discretely around your home. This way they don’t disrupt the aesthetic appeal of your home.

Are in the market for gutter replacement or repair? If so, make sure you call gutter professionals who will create an entire gutter plan,. This includes careful placement of downspouts to discharge the water from your gutters properly, handle a full load of rainwater from your roof-line, and maintain the curb appeal of your home. For a comprehensive gutter system that will protect your home from water damage, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule an appointment to discuss your gutters today!