How do clogged gutters lead to foundation damage?

Gutters are designed to move water safely away from your home, but when they’re clogged, they do the opposite. Instead of flowing through downspouts and draining away, water spills over the sides and collects right next to your foundation.

Over time, that repeated pooling saturates the soil and increases pressure against your foundation walls. This can lead to cracks, leaks, and eventually water intrusion into your basement or crawlspace. In colder climates like Michigan, that water can also freeze and expand, making the damage worse. Keeping gutters clean is one of the simplest ways to prevent a much bigger and more expensive problem.

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