Eavestrough and Chimney Repairs in GTA Small Problems That Become Big Bills
Two things most GTA homeowners ignore: the eavestroughs and the chimney. Both look fine from the ground. Both quietly cause thousands of dollars in damage when they are not maintained. Here is how to stay ahead of both.
What Happens When Eavestroughs Fail
Eavestroughs — what most people call gutters — have one job: move water away from your foundation and exterior walls. When they are blocked, water overflows and runs straight down your siding and into your foundation.
In the GTA, a clogged eavestrough during a heavy spring rainstorm can push hundreds of litres of water against your home in an hour. That leads to basement flooding, rotted fascia, and stained or damaged siding. The cost of fixing a flooded basement in Toronto starts around $5,000.
Eavestrough joints are another weak point. Old-style sectional gutters develop leaks at the seams over time. Seamless eavestrough systems — which MLB Roofing installs — eliminate most of these failure points and last significantly longer.
SUPPORTING IMAGE CONCEPT
Time-lapse style visual showing water overflowing from a clogged eavestrough during a heavy GTA rainstorm, fascia board visibly stained and rotting
Chimney Damage: The Slow and Expensive Problem
Chimneys take a beating in GTA winters. The mortar between bricks expands when wet, then contracts as it freezes. Over several seasons, this cycle cracks and crumbles the mortar joints — a process called spalling. Left alone, water gets into the chimney structure and the damage accelerates.
Chimney crown cracks are the most common entry point for water. The crown is the concrete cap that sits on top of your chimney. When it cracks, rain and snow melt run directly into the chimney chase and down into your home.
Tuckpointing — filling in crumbled mortar joints — is a cost-effective fix when caught early. Full chimney rebuilds can cost $4,000 to $10,000 or more. Tuckpointing a chimney before it gets to that point is usually under $1,000.
How Often to Inspect These Systems
The easy answer: once a year in the fall, before winter hits the GTA.
For eavestroughs, check them after the leaves have fully dropped. Look for sag, separation from the fascia, and standing water in sections. If your downspouts are dumping water close to your foundation, add extensions to move it at least two meters away.
For chimneys, look from the ground for visible mortar cracks, white staining (efflorescence), or loose bricks. If you see any of these, book a professional inspection. A small masonry repair done today can prevent a major rebuild in two or three years.
MLB Roofing Handles It All
MLB Roofing’s exterior services cover eavestrough installation and repair, masonry and chimney repair, and all related exterior work across the GTA. The team uses quality materials and does the work right the first time.
One call gets you a free inspection of your full exterior — roof, eavestroughs, chimney, and masonry — so you know exactly where things stand before winter.
Comment GUTTERFIX or CHIMNEY below for info, or book your free exterior inspection at mlbroofing.ca.
