Are Your Eavestroughs to Blame for Your Leaky Basement?

Posted by Manny DeMelo on June 6th, 2016

Eavestroughs and Leaky BasementIn Canada, almost 40% of all home insurance claims are made because of water damage – especially to basements. Is your basement a frequent flooder? One of the most common causes is blocked and backed-up eavestroughs, though it’s also one of the easiest to fix and avoid.

Check out these four tips for keeping your eavestroughs in good shape and your basement dry this spring:

1.     Clean Your Eavestroughs and Downspouts

Do you notice water flowing over the side of your eavestroughs? Are they pulling away from your house? Can you see plant growth in them? If the answer to any of those questions was yes, you’re probably dealing with clogged eavestroughs.

On average, homeowners need to clean their eavestroughs 2-3 times per year depending on factors like how many trees you have around your home. Remember, a few leaves can pile up and cause big problems if left unchecked!

Check out these 5 tips for cleaning your eavestroughs this spring!

2.     Redirect Runoff

After you know water is able to flow freely, you need to figure out where it’s running to. If runoff accumulates near your home’s base, it can erode your foundation and lead to leaky floors and basements.

To keep your basement dry, make sure you:

  • Use a concrete runoff to direct rainwater away from your home.
  • Direct water towards vegetation or a dry well for maximum absorption.
  • Space downspouts about every 6 metres, making sure to install them at corners as well.

3.     Repair or Replace Damaged Eavestroughs

Most eavestroughs are designed to last about 20 years depending on how well they’re maintained. If nails become loose or pop out over time that can cause the eavestroughs to sag in the middle, leading water to pool and preventing it from moving.

Keep an eye out for these signs of trouble while inspecting your eavestroughs:

  • Nails that are loose, sticking out, or weak.
  • Obvious leaks at corners.
  • Streaks appearing along the eaves where water has been overflowing.
  • Rotting or damaged fascia.
  • Rusting spikes.

To prevent problems from getting worse, make sure you fix your eavestroughs as soon as possible. Work with a professional home contractor to decide whether you should repair or replace them depending on their condition and age.

4.     Invest in Gutter Protection

Gutter protection systems like those from Alu-Rex are engineered to keep debris out and let water flow all year round.

Alu-Rex’s gutter protection systems feature:

  • Patented Roll-Back and Alu-Perf technologies to help your eavestroughs drain even during the heaviest rains.
  • Dura-Clean Technology, which prevents “tiger stripes.”
  • Discreet aluminum sheets that fit into your eavestroughs, making them invisible from the ground.
  • T-Rex continuous hangers to provide unrivalled strength and dependability.

If you’re unable to find out what’s causing your basement to leak or are having trouble fixing it, work with a professional home contractor to get to the root of the problem and fix it fast.

At Quality Exteriors, we are your number one choice for rainware eavestroughs and effective gutter protection. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home estimate!

Serving homeowners in Niagara, St. Catharines, Oakville, and Burlington. 

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