Wondering what to do on a rainy day? We suggest taking a look at your gutters. What you see here is the waterfall effect, which occurs when water isn’t properly managed by your gutters. Instead of being directed safely away from your home, this excess water can cascade down the sides of your house, potentially leading to severe damage.

But why is this such a big deal? When water isn’t effectively channeled away, it can cause a range of structural problems:

• Foundation Damage: Water pooling around your foundation can lead to cracks, shifting, or settling. Over time, this can compromise the structural integrity of your home, resulting in costly repairs.
• Roof Damage: When gutters back up, water can seep under the shingles, leading to roof leaks, wood rot, and even mold growth in your attic. This not only affects the lifespan of your roof but also the air quality inside your home.
• Siding and Exterior Damage: Water running down the sides of your home can cause peeling paint, warping, and even damage to the siding itself. In colder climates, this moisture can freeze, causing cracks and further deterioration.
• Basement Flooding: Improperly managed water can easily find its way into your basement, leading to flooding, mold growth, and damage to your personal belongings.
• Landscape Erosion: Excess water can erode the soil around your home, damaging your landscaping and leading to further water management issues.

There are a few things that can cause this issue, but all need to be immediately addressed in your home maintenance plan!

• Incorrect Pitch: Gutters should be pitched at a certain angle to allow water to flow towards the downspout. If the pitch is too steep or too flat, water will either flow too fast or too slow.
• Clogged Downspout: A clogged downspout can prevent water from draining properly, causing the gutter to fill to capacity and overflow.
• Incorrect Placement: Gutters should be installed a few inches under the roof edge to allow water to drain directly into the gutters. If gutters hang too high, water will run behind them, damaging the fascia boards.
• Incorrect Number of Downspouts: If there aren’t enough downspouts installed in the right places, it can lead to standing water or overflow during heavy rainfall.
• Gutter Slope: A slight dip or bend in the straight section of guttering holds water in place, allowing it to pool and overflow rather than reach the downspout.

Remember, taking a little time to inspect and maintain your gutters can prevent big problems down the road. Ensuring your gutters are properly installed and clear of debris will protect your home from water damage and help maintain its value for years to come.

At Lincoln County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, it’s our job to make sure your property is protected. Because we are a mutual company that is owned and managed by the policyholders, this means we are constantly assessing the risk in our charge. We want to offer the guidance that allows you to care for all that you work so hard for! A group of Lincoln County farmers got together in 1900 and formed this company to do just that – protect each other. Since that time, the members expanded into Pike County, MO, Warren County, MO, and Montgomery County, MO… and just kept going. We are now one of the top mutuals in our home area and can cover any property within the borders of Missouri. Community is everything. Check back with us as we continue to inform, support, and protect in any way we can!