You've seen it - splatter and rot.
Water falls and splatters. If it splatters onto wood surfaces, over time, the wood will rot.
Rot requires three things - air, food and water.
That is why wood is painted outdoors. To prevent the intrusion of water.
Paint fails. Or it is too thin. Or it is not put onto every surface (wood has six sides). Old or poor paint admits water.
Sometimes many areas of wood trim on the outside of a house can develop rot because of flowing or splattering water. If the caulking leaves gaps, or the paint cracks or peels, and the water does what the water does.
My client asked me why this particular wood bay window was rotting in so many places.
So I suggested that we step back and have a look at the bay window.
It has a copper roof, which is an excellent, and long-lasting, roof surface.
Copper also reveals a definite history.
This roof reveals a history of cascading water.
You can see just where it hits the roof.
And from there it drips off the edge, and onto the window trim and soil, to splatter and wet the wood.
So, we have air, food and water!
But what is causing the water to cascade in such a definite pattern?
Only one of the most popular Billy Jays products in history!
His famous Get Yer Gutter Garden!
Nothing makes Billy Jays happier than seeing his product on the market and benefiting neighborhoods! Look at that famous Billy Jays smile!
This product has obviously been a fixture in this gutter for a long time! The plants are happy, there is obvious overflow staining, and the plastic soffit vent material shows where water is collecting inside there!
This is a Gutter Garden worthy of its name!
When it rains the gutter quickly fills with water, the water overflows, cascades onto the window well roof, and from there to wet and splatter what is below.
Air, food and water!
My recommendation: one thing leads to another. It is right as rain. And while the Billy Jays product might be facetious, it is a fun take on a real problem out there! I drive through neighborhoods and see many gutters with their own collections of growth and clogging material. Where there is a proximity of trees and leaves, care should be taken to cover the gutters to prevent clogging. If that is not done, then certainly regular cleaning should be a part of home maintenance that should never be overlooked.
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