Your Landscape Runs The Risk Of Damage In Winter: The Dangers Of Winter Runoff. Winter brings snow, ice, and rain – often beautiful to look at, but not when it comes to your home. Cold temperatures can cause drains to freeze as ice and debris accumulate inside them. When drains become clogged or frozen, rain and snowmelt cannot drain properly, causing water to overflow the system.
At first glance, this may not seem like a serious problem, but overflowing gutters can cause significant damage to your home’s foundation and landscape. Installing gutter guards helps keep debris out and prevents water from flowing freely. Protecting your gutters with guards can prevent extensive and costly damage, especially during harsh winter conditions.
1. How Winter Runoff Impacts Your Home
Foundation Damage
Winter runoff pools alongside the walls of your home, and the moisture weakens the structure of the building and the walls’ foundation, pressurizing them during cycles of freeze and thaw. When it’s cold and the walls freeze, the moisture will further weaken the foundation and the structure of the walls.
Winter runoff results in:
- Crack in the walls of the foundation
- Leakage and moisture seeping into the basement
- Displacement, movement, or settling of the structure
- Instability of the foundation or structure
Repairs of the damage done to the base of the walls and structure of the building may become pricey and disturbing.
Soil Erosion and Landscape Damage
Water flows off the building that has no unclogged gutters and scours the ground with no control, damaging and ruining the work done in the landscaping. Within one winter period and season, the landscaping work that may have taken numerous years to complete will become undone.
Problems that may occur in the landscaping are:
- Depletion of surface soil that is nutrient-rich
- Exposed roots of the plants
- Destruction of the flower beds and grass in the yard
- Moved or shifted walkways and walls that are set
Erosion will also change the outer spaces of the building, spoil its appearance and, most importantly, compromise the foundation.
Increased Risk of Mold and Water Intrusion
If home overflow is not directed away from the foundation, moisture can penetrate. This moisture can be constant and promote the growth of mold in basements, crawl spaces, and walls.
Water intrusion presents several risks, including the potential of:
- Mold and mildew growth
- Poor air quality from biological contaminants
- Loss of insulation and damage to drywall
- Significantly greater costs for leak recovery and repairs
The buildup of moisture must be minimized to protect the quality of the living space.
2. The Importance of Gutters When It Comes to Winter Water
Gutters are meant to gather rainfall from the roof and direct it to a predetermined location. Gutters, when functioning properly, decrease the chances of erosion and water leaks and are essential to maintaining the integrity of the structure.
To perform at optimal levels, gutters need to have:
- A proper slope to assist water drainage
- Drainpipes that are strongly attached
- Open drainage systems that are set away from the home
Gutters that are clogged or broken are incapable of performing the listed actions. Gutters are best cleared by a Gutter Cleaning Service, which also makes sure gutters are functioning properly for winter runoff.
3. Why Gutter Guards Matter Most During Winter
Compared to all the other seasons, winter puts the most stress on the gutters. Blockages can happen in a hasten from ice dams, frozen debris, and heavy snow. Water is supposed to flow freely in gutters. If it can not, it overflows, and the water that overspills will freeze as well, making things even worse.
Gutter guards assist with the following:
- Stopping leaves and debris from getting into the gutter system.
- Reducing the amount of ice that builds up in the gutter system.
- Allowing water to flow freely during storm events.
These guards will help prevent the failures and water damage that are most common in winter.
4. Preserving Your Landscape
Effective water management protects your home and your yard as well. Blocked water drainage can cause damaging flows of water across lawn areas and planted beds.
Some of the benefits of protected drainage are:
- Less soil erosion.
- Healthier plants and root systems will survive.
- Decorative features will be protected.
- Your patios and walkways will have long-term stability.
Keeping water where it belongs helps homeowners keep their outdoor space beautiful and functional all year long.
5. Further Benefits of Winter Protection from Gutter Guards
In addition to winter safety, gutter guards provide additional benefits that make winter protection a valuable investment.
Cost-saving benefits include:
- Less gutter cleaning and maintenance
- Overflow damage protection to siding, fascia, and soffit
- Increased strength and longevity of the gutter system
Choosing a professional Gutter Guard Protection and Gutter Installations Expert ensures accurate and optimal installation to provide protection and the best functionality gutter guards can provide, all year round.
6. Maintenance Recommendations for NJ Residents
New Jersey Winter can be quite the surprise, and that’s why proper maintenance for this season is the best approach to take and will help you avoid a ton of winter water issues.
To Winter’s Maintenance, Gutter Guards are recommended:
- Inspect gutters and guards before the winter months
- Look for damage post large storms
- Make sure downpipes are open and draining from the foundation.
- Organize a professional inspection at least once a year.
The basic yet essential guidelines will make sure that your system is reliable and will do its job when the day comes.
Conclusion
The winters in New Jersey mean excessive snow, which leads to snowmelt in the winter and spring. Unfortunately, winter runoff poses a threat to the foundation, landscape, and overall health of your home. Things like erosion and mold growth can result in severe structural damage to your home, and the repairs can be costly. Choosing to have a proper gutter system can make a difference. Schedule your inspection today and protect your home this winter by using a Gutter Guard Protect Service.