How Fall Leaves & Clogged Gutters Become A Water Damage Hazard In Rhode Island

Fall in Rhode Island is full of our favorites - digging cozy sweaters from the back of the closet, hot chocolate or cider, spectacular foliage, hay rides and corn mazes! There is so much to look forward to as the season changes. Unfortunately, falling leaves also lead to a problem that many homeowners overlook - clogged gutters. When your gutters become clogged with fallen leaves and other debris, it prevents them from successfully diverting water away from your home. When this happens, the simple clogged gutter problem can quickly become a serious water damage problem. 

Your Gutters Matter More Than You Think

Gutters may be a feature of your home that is easy to overlook, but they play an important role in protecting it. Their job is to collect rainwater and guide it safely away from your roof and foundation. When your gutters are clear and working properly, they prevent water from pooling near your home, where it could seep inside and cause damage.

New England is known for its maples, oaks, and other trees that give us such beautiful colors as the leaves change. As autumn turns to fall, and those gorgeous colors turn to brown, those trees can create a water damage hazard as their leaves collect in your home’s gutters. Along with leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris build up, clogging your gutters and increasing the odds of water damage.

Another common cause of improper gutter function can be from bird nests. The gutters at the corner of your home offer a nice protected spot for birds to make their homes! By fall, the nests should be empty - although you may need to wait until late fall. It’s against federal law to disturb many species, so it’s better to wait until the nest is empty of its occupants, usually in late fall. 

Common Water Damage Caused by Clogged Gutters

At Clean Rite Cleaning and Restoration, we’ve worked with many Rhode Islanders whose homes have suffered water damage caused by blocked gutters. Gutter-related water damage can happen any time of the year but, unsurprisingly, it’s most common during the fall and early winter. Here are some of the most common ways our restoration team has seen gutter-related water damage affect properties throughout the state:

Roof Leaks

When there isn’t room in your gutters to guide water off your roof, it can begin to pool up. Your roof is built to withstand many things, but a large puddle of standing water is not one of them. Eventually, water will find its way to weak shingles or flashing. Then, it will begin to seep into your home and cause water damage.

Foundation Water Damage

Overflowing or poorly maintained gutters can cause water to pool around the base of your home. Over time, this can erode the soil, crack your foundation, and even cause basement flooding. For some families, the basement isn’t a frequently visited portion of their home. Sometimes, that’s because the basement is unfinished or being used as storage. Other times, homeowners don’t frequently visit their basement because health concerns lead them to avoid stairs when possible. Regardless of the reason, an infrequently visited basement can often be the site of water damage that has a long time to develop before being spotted, and that includes foundation-related basement water damage. Even if it’s an unused space, it’s a good idea to plan periodic inspections of your basement, and keep the outside of your foundation clear.

Siding Damage

Your gutters are designed to divert water away from the sides of your home. Unsurprisingly, when gutters overflow, water can begin to spill down the sides of your house. This water damage can lead to peeling paint, warped siding, rot, discoloration, and mold growth. Check on your gutters and make sure they are free of debris or clogs, and they are extended far enough away from your foundation.

What to Do When Water Damage Impacts Your Rhode Island Home

Fall should be about enjoying the beautiful foliage, not stressing over home repairs. When you stay on top of gutter cleaning and maintenance, you’ll typically be able to prevent gutter-related water damage. But if you ever find yourself facing this type of water damage, the best thing you can do is reach out to a team of water damage professionals like Clean Rite Cleaning and Restoration. We respond to emergency water damage calls around the clock to help Rhode Islanders halt water damage before it has time to spread farther. We’ll use moisture meters and thermal imaging to map out the full area affected by the moisture so that we can ensure complete drying. If water damage in your home has already led to mold growth, we can help you take care of that, too. Give us a call today.