Many homeowners have problems with their gutters holding water, especially when it rains or after a storm. Standing water in your gutters may seem like a small problem, but ignoring it can cause significant structural damage.

Homeowners should be aware of the risks of too much moisture buildup and take action to find and stop these risks before they become more significant problems. Let’s look more closely at the issues associated with flood water and discuss what can be done to lower the risks to health and property. Our specially designed gutter cleaning and maintenance service is of course an ultimate solution to avoid dangers of standing water in gutters. You may contact us to get best gutter maintenance service in Davie, Florida and surrounding locations.

How is Standing Water Harmful?

Due to your packed schedule, you may not have the opportunity to inspect your gutter system and roof. So, you should consider the risks of leaving water in the drains. The following are some big problems that could happen to your home if you don’t take care of your gutters and let water stay in them for a long time. For instance, the excess water weight can cause the gutters to sag or even detach from the roof, leading to costly repairs. Additionally, the water can seep into the walls, causing them to weaken and potentially collapse.

1. Pressure On Foundation

Standing water in gutters and on the roof will overflow and flow near the house’s foundation. Downspouts direct rainwater away from the foundation. If the downspout is clogged or misaligned, water will overflow and damage the soil near the house’s foundation, weakening the structure in many ways.

Downspouts are an essential part of your gutter system. They direct water away from your home’s foundation, preventing water damage and structural issues. The base is what the house is built on, so if it gets damaged, the rest of the house will also get damaged. By making cracks in the roof, water could start to seep into the bottom of the house. This will become clear when the basement begins to smell bad.

2. Establishing a Base

Standing water can sometimes do damage that you can’t avoid, even after the water is gone from the base. If the water has been there for a long time and puts much pressure on the base, it may move and settle back down. When this happens, the walls will have cracks, and the floors will be uneven. The shift can hurt more than just the walls and floor; it can also damage things like the brick chimney. Also, gutters that hold water for a long time get cracks and other damage. If you see water sitting in the gutters, you should take action before it builds up in the basement. Should you notice any standing water in the gutters, you need to act immediately because if the water starts pushing against the structure, it can be hard to fix the damage.

3. Pests Attack

When water stays in the gutters, problems besides mold, like pests, can happen. When bugs like mosquitoes and flies breed in the standing water, they will soon begin to bite you in your living room. The bites of mosquitoes can make family members sick with different diseases, and some flies and other pests can bring diseases into the house, like heartworms.

Water accumulating in the gutters can lead to serious health issues for your family and significant damage to your home. However, by regularly cleaning out your gutters, you can prevent these risks and ensure the safety of your loved ones and your property. This simple step can give you peace of mind and the confidence that you control your home’s maintenance.

4. Growing Mold in the Basement

If water stays in the drains for too long, it can also affect the floor. Because of the moisture that builds up there, mold grows on the basement walls and ceilings. This mold not only ruins the walls and ceilings, but it can also make people sick. Breathing in mold spores can cause respiratory issues, allergies, and even more severe health problems. Mold growth in the basement makes many people sick with breathing problems like asthma.

Standing water in gutters can cause damage that extends beyond health risks. Mold growth and dampness can also ruin expensive items in the basement, such as furniture and seasonal clothes. The cost of replacing these items can quickly add up, making it clear that neglecting gutter maintenance can lead to significant financial losses. You can avoid these costly repairs and protect your property by taking simple preventive measures.

Protecting Property from Gutter Standing Water

To avoid problems with water pooling, gutters should be securely connected to the fascia’s, and pipes should be securely attached to the outside of the house. Other places that should be kept clean are the downspouts. Here are some easy things you can do to get rid of standing water and keep it from coming back:

1. Clean Gutters Regularly

Things and trash can get stuck in the drains and clog them. Often, it’s leaves, sticks, pine needles, nuts, asphalt roof granules, and bird nests that do this. Cleaning out your gutters and getting rid of the trash lets the rainwater flow freely and keeps the gutters from getting damaged by weight from too much water. Remove any large debris by hand or with a scoop to clean your gutters. Then, use a hose to flush out any remaining dirt or small debris. Backlogged water can also cause snow and ice to build up in the winter, leading to ice dams and icicles.

2. Clear Out Downspouts

An excellent way to keep drains clear is to clean the gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, right after fall and before spring. Otherwise, even if the gutters “look” clean, debris that can’t be seen can get stuck in the vertical drains and cause water to flow over the gutter instead. Also, standing water gives mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs, which leads to mosquito populations. The problem worsens when birds and bats that eat mosquitoes build homes in the gutters, soffits, and fascia, close to where they can find food.

3. Pitch-up the Gutters.

Standing water in gutters can be caused by something as easy as gutters that don’t slope or project properly. A pitched gutter should face the drains so that water can move smoothly. There should be a slight drop of at least 0.025 inches for every 10 feet of ditch. A lousy pitch could be caused by too much weight in the gutters, wear and tear, or lousy fitting of the gutters. This could mean that fixes or a whole new system are needed to get the water flowing again. To check the pitch of your gutters, you can use a level or a string with a weight. Adjust the pitch by loosening the hangers and repositioning the gutter until it slopes towards the downspout.

4. Repair Gutters

When water pools in gutters, it adds extra weight that can cause gutters to bend, leak, or get damaged. The gutter may break and fall off. A professional in gutter repair can look at them and fix or replace them as needed to get the drains working again. The pitch can be changed to strengthen the support, and gutter hangers can be replaced or moved to the correct distance apart. If you notice any of these issues with your gutters, it’s best to call a professional to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs.

5. Put up Gutter Guards.

Putting up gutter guards or caps is an extra safety measure to help keep water out of drains. It can benefit people whose homes are surrounded by trees that hang over and drop many leaves and sticks. Getting the correct drain guard for your house is essential because hundreds are on the market. The proper gutter guards are installed to keep garbage out of the gutter troughs and drains. There you have it! No more water sitting still.

6. Reinstall Gutter System

If you don’t place your gutters correctly, water can build up instead of going to the outlet and draining away from your home. Sometimes, you can repair broken parts or move the gutter if it has a lousy pitch because it wasn’t installed correctly. Getting a whole new set of gutters may be cheaper in some cases. For example, if your gutters are badly damaged or broken because of the weight of waste and water, you’ll save more money and feel safer by adding a new gutter system. You could even go up from a 5″ system to a 6″ system. Gutter installation requires to get help from a professional get your free gutter installation quote.

Gutter it Up: Gutter Cleaning and More!

Gutter cleaning, inspecting, and fixing gutters regularly is essential to ensure they drain properly and prevent problems with standing water. 

You shouldn’t put off cleaning your gutters; instead, hire Gutter it Up immediately. We are a respected and trustworthy home improvement business that has been around for years. We’ll clean your gutters quickly and well and won’t damage your house in the process. We do more than just cleaning gutters; we also do many building jobs. This is not the time to put off working on the outside of your home; call us today for a quote!