Homeowners take many measures to keep their homes looking good, but they often overlook one cleaning culprit: rainwater runoff. By itself, rainwater caused damage over time to siding, foundations, and walkways. These damages appear to happen out of nowhere. Full service pressure washing in Northeast Ohio has solutions to these stains, and it starts with educating yourself on damage protecting and restoring your home's exterior. What appears to be dirt from the ongoing water flow, are stains from the minerals, the debris, and the organics that are in the water.
Rainwater runoff attacks your home. Instead of running off your roof and away from the home’s foundation, the water is routed toward the home’s foundation and siding. The purpose of the downspout is to keep control of the water’s flow. Control is lost, and the water stains, and damages the home, from continual impact.
The stains happen gradually. Most homeowners overlook the damages caused by rainwater because of the time it takes to create the build up. The build up is usually the result of a combination of many factors such as: the current weather, the microenvironment the home is in, and the level of grit the area receives.
Gutters are among one of the first things to check. Has the debris and dirt system of your gutters caused blockage? The result is that water flows freely, then to pour out the edge of the butt, then down the home's siding and foundation.
The exterior walls and siding of your house can become discolored and streaked due to water spilling over from gutters. As water overflows from gutters, it mixes with dust, algae, and debris, and stains the surface it runs over. With time, the water runs are repeated and patterns of staining and streaking are made that can give your home an unkempt and aged appearance.
The appearance of your home can also be negatively impacted due to water pooling by the foundation from clogged gutters. This phenomenon can become a structural issue if not resolved.
The roof of your home plays an important role in directing the flow of water. As water runs down the slope of the roof, it collects small fragments of asphalt, dust, and other organic residues. As the water runs down the edges of the roof, it takes these contaminants with it.
When gutters are not properly installed or maintained, the water runoff can be deposited directly on the siding, windows, and doors. Over time, the flow of water runoff causes streaks and discoloration that become impossible to remove with a simple cleaning.
Many people believe that dark streaks on the siding of a house are the result of mold or mildew. In fact, these stains are the result of unclean roof runoff. This information is important, as it allows homeowners to fix the problem directly rather than just covering it with a band-aid.
Roof runoff applies to the upper parts of structures, whereas splashback applies to the lower parts. The foundation of a house is particularly vulnerable to the effects of splashback. When construction is done in a way that makes the lower walls of the building almost touching the ground, and there are firm surfaces that are impermeable to water, such as concrete, splashback becomes a major problem.
Muddy stains or speckled patterns are the hallmarks of splashback, and they are especially difficult to remove. The stains are the result of silt, smaller rock particles, and organic matter in rainwater. The gradual discoloration that occurs is the result of the large amounts of water that fall on the site and the ground being disturbed to a considerable height measured vertically. The effect is a discoloration that occurs many feet or more than a few inches high.
When there are no operable or functional drainage or landscaping elements in a home, the home is more prone to splashback. A lack of elements in the landscape or the home that can absorb or divert water makes the home continually stain during heavy rain.
The patterns made by rainwater staining are quite interesting. The stains can help the observer see the starting point of splatter, but the stains are often ignored.
Any vertical streak is most likely the result of gutter overflow or roof runoff, and is the most clear cause of the streak. The streaks, which are vertical, tend to be the most clear causes of the streak and are most commonly near the roof. The stains are horizontal and lower level are more near the bottom of the foundation other than the vertical streaks which are spatially upward on the foundation and are, in the vernacular, vertical about the roof.
Concentrated staining around downspouts is another common indicator of issues with ground drainage. Downspouts directing water towards a specific area leads to circular buildups of pigment from the dirt and materials that water is displacing each time it pours down. Over time, this staining becomes more pronounced and harder to clean.
This staining is one indicator that can help a homeowner ascertain the precise area of the problem be it ground drainage, gutter, or roof design.
Home appearance can be affected noticeably with even the smallest of staining. The neglect of upkeep can be seen more prominently with a streaked or discolored staining on a well-maintained lawn. For people planning to sell a house where a good first impression is key, neglect can be a great concern.
Stains are a quick sign to look deeper for maintenance issues. What is usually a superficial concern can lead to issues with water, mold, or an overall bad maintenance dilemma. The runoff staining may be more of an aesthetic issue, but it can also help increase the value of the property.
It is important to identify and fix the problem of runoff first. A quick clean is almost pointless without fixing the problem. The next rain will simply cause more runoff and the same stain will reappear.
A thorough gutter check should be the first step of the inspection. Blocked gutters can lead to an uneven alignment, and also contribute to leaving water near the ground and creating a splash. Downspouts should be well separated from the house to avoid an even worse pool of water.
Re-evaluate your roof and drainage systems. Look for locations where water is spilling over or flowing irregularly. Some modifications, like lengthening downspouts or incorporating splash blocks, will drastically improve water flow management.
Landscaping may help as well. Introducing gravel beds, plants, or drainage channels along the perimeter can assist in water absorption and reduction of splashback.
After addressing the cause, pressure washing can be utilized to eliminate stains. After a while, rainwater can leave layers of dirt, algae, and minerals that require more than just a rinse.
Pressure washing can be utilized to eliminate build up. Siding, walkways, and foundation areas can be brightened up through pressure washing as well. This is especially the case for long-term runoff areas that have severe staining.
With pressure washing, be sure to use the implement with care. Have the appropriate pressure and cleaning agents to wash the surface without damage. For most, a professional service for pressure washing is the best choice.
In order to prevent staining, maintain and regulate the water flow around your house. This can be achieved through regular cleaning of your gutters and downspouts.
Check your house regularly for rain, snow, or leaves. A clean and working gutter system will lower the chance of overflow and staining.
If problems with runoff continue, you might want to consider adding gutter guards or enhancing your drainage system. These small changes usually minimize upkeep and safeguard your home's exterior over the years.
Though rainwater runoff may appear to be innocuous, it can be quite damaging to the exterior of your home. Stained foundations and streaked siding are examples of the damage that can occur slowly and unnoticed. Homeowners can protect their homes by knowing how roof runoff, splashback, and gutters contribute to the problems.
Cleaning using pressure washing and addressing the source of the problem ensures that results are long lasting. The stains that rainwater leaves behind are subtle, but if you manage to take the right steps, you will maintain the appearance of your home and your home will be free from the persistent, damaging effects of rainwater.
