The eavestrough on your home plays an important role in collecting and diverting rainwater or thaw water off your roof and down to the ground around your home. Most Montreal homes have these common features but don’t quite understand the purpose or process they play in protecting your home from basement leaks. The troughs along the eaves of your home collect the water from the roof and direct it to a downspout which empties out at the base.
Rather than have the water fall directly onto the ground around your home which can erode the soil and collect to create cracks in the foundation, eavestroughs channel the water away from the edge and to the downspout. Eavestroughs that become clogged force the water over the edge and directly down to the ground creating an erosion line and in winter can allow ice buildup. Regular maintenance to clear the troughs of leaves and dirt should be conducted twice a year.
Springtime brings a new list of maintenance chores. If your eavestroughs are full of debris – leaves or soil – it can also block the downspouts and result in water overflowing to collect against your home’s foundation. Runoffs from the downspout have to be directed away from your house and not allowed to flow back toward the foundation. Making sure that ice or snow drifts have not redirected the flow of water can be key to protecting your home from unwanted water in the basement.
When eavestroughs are broken by heavy ice buildup or the brackets have been worn by exposure to the elements and crack, the eavestroughs will sag and stop draining properly. Damaged eavestroughing can cause water to collect at your foundation which increases the risk of entering your basement.
While you might not think your roof could be causing your basement to have water problems, you have to pay special attention to your eavestroughs, downspouts and runoffs. If water is not being handled properly and directed away from your home, it could pool at the base and find its way into your basement through a crack or void in the foundation. A basement waterproofing professional can inspect your foundation for problems and ensure your drainage system is working well.