Gutter Cleaning 101

Gutters clogged from the falling autumn leaves can lead to standing water around your foundation. Gutters are a part of a system that moves water away from your roof and home. Homeowners need to be aware of the damage that can occur from clogged gutters. When water is not drained properly away from the foundation, many serious issues may occur such as:

  • Basement flooding
  • Foundation damage
  • Infestation of insects that breed in standing water
  • Mold and mildew
  • Topsoil erosion
  • Staining to exterior of home
  • Damage to landscaping

One of the most serious aspects of standing water is foundation failure. Excessive water will weaken the foundation and lead to cracks in the foundation, especially in the colder months. Built up water in the winter months can cause frost heave which is the fluctuating of freezing and thawing conditions in the soil which causes lifting of the soil. This causes cracks in the foundation and makes previous cracks larger which can lead to structural damage.

It is important to make sure that gutters are cleaned out, especially before winter. It is also important to know the signs that may indicate foundation issues. Some of these signs are:

  • Wall cracks
  • Floor cracks
  • Sticking doors and windows
  • Sloping floors
  • Leaning chimney
  • Garage column problems

If you suspect that you may have foundation problems, the experts at WCI Basement Repair can come and give you a free inspection to see if your foundation is in need of repair.

Remember, clogged gutters can lead to foundation problems, which can lead to costly foundation repairs. Before winter, make sure to get the autumn debris out of your gutters to save you headaches in the future.

Other Important Winterizing Maintenance Steps for your Iowa Home

Winter storms and cold weather are a given if you live in Iowa. Small steps that you can do to winterize your home can save you headaches and money in the future. Cleaning gutters is just one of the main things you can do to help prevent foundation issues.

Other things you should do to winterize your home are:

  • Roof inspection – inspect you roof for loose or worn tiles
  • Exterior – inspect the exterior of your home and look for gaps around your doors and windows
  • Foundation – make sure debris is away from the foundation and check for any cracks in the foundation
  • Plumbing – make sure that any exposed pipes are insulated. Bursting pipes can cause major damage to your home and foundation

Maintaining your home before winter will prevent small problems from turning into major problems.

If you feel that you are in need of foundation repair, WCI Basement Repair will inspect your home and if we find that there is some major foundation issues, we have solutions that will get your foundation structurally strong again.

We use underpinning products such as steel push piers and helical piers to get the foundation level and stable again. These piers are driven deep into the ground through unstable soil layers until they reach a solid soil layer. Then the weight of the structure is transferred onto these piers, leveling and stabilizing the structure. The products WCI uses for underpinning are manufactured by Earth Contact Products (ECP), the best in the industry.

Remember, maintaining your home before winter will prevent small problems from turning into larger problems. But if you need an inspection, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at WCI Basement Repair. We have the products and solutions to help get your home strong and structurally sound for many years to come. Contact us today!

Category: Foundation Repair
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