One of the most common concerns for home buyers and homeowners is the condition of the home’s foundation. With good reason – the foundation literally supports every part of the house.
But the foundation is in the ground. How can it be affected by gutters that are ten or twenty feet above? Read on to find out ..
Much of the soil in the Houston area is “expansive,” meaning that it swells considerably when water is added and shrinks just as much when it dries out. This swelling and shrinking can cause the foundation, and the rest of the house, to move. If this movement is consistent at all parts of the house, there may not be a problem – the house can float up and down, like a boat on a lake. However, it’s more common for a house to experience what’s called “differential settlement,” meaning one or more areas settle or move at a different rate than others. This difference can cause walls to crack, doors and windows to bind in their frames, and the foundation to lose integrity.
Rainfall is generally consistent on all sides of a house, so soil expansion and contraction from rain should also be consistent. When a lot of water collects in one or two locations near the house, soil expansion and contraction may not be as consistent, and there is a much greater chance for differential settlement and damage to the house.
What does this have to do with gutters? Gutters collect water from the roof and direct it to downspouts which discharge the water onto the soil or into underground drainage systems. As long as the gutters and downspouts are performing their jobs, the possibility of differential movement is minimized.
If a gutter fills up with leaves, pine needles, or other debris, water can be blocked from draining. It may spill over the edge of the gutter, pooling up near the house. Other factors to consider are downspouts that discharge too close to the house, and soil that is not sloped away from the house.
We get a lot of rain in Houston. Keep your gutters clean, make sure your downspouts discharge at least 5-6’ from the house, and adjust your landscaping so water doesn’t collect against the foundation.
If you have any questions about foundations, gutters, drainage, or anything else about your house, please feel free to CONTACT Milepost Home Inspection at 823-986-1942 or inspector@mileposthome.com. We look forward to hearing from you!