Are your home’s gutters essential?
Most homeowners wonder why gutters are essential when they have to pay to replace them, which is understandable. When it comes to the exterior of your home, your rain gutters play an integral role in protecting your home’s foundation and overall well-being during storms.
Gutters are easy to overlook since they are out of sight and out of mind until you have a problem. Today, we will share with you some reasons why gutters are necessary!
First, why are gutters important?
When it rains outside on the roadways, the water quickly drains to the side of the road and finds a ditch or sewer. Now, apply that same concept to your home when it rains.
Gutters are the drainage systems of your roof, where rain and organic matter are caught in a trough and disposed of via a downspout. Gutters come in all shapes and designs and can be custom-made to fit your house’s needs; however, regardless of these differences, they all share the same ultimate objective.
The “Drainage System” is meant to protect your home’s foundation, it’s exterior walls, and prevent erosion. Installing gutters is something that most contractors do upon building a home, but in some places, gutters are not standard.
Your gutter system is designed to catch rainwater and displace it away from your home. Below we list the FIVE reasons why this is so essential for your entire home; some reasons might surprise you!
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Are gutters necessary/required?
Gutters have one primary purpose: to keep your home dry during storms and move water away from your home’s foundation. In many states, gutters are required as building codes and are essential to protect against erosion and foundational issues.
In some cases of drier climates, there are instances where gutters are not necessary. The constant stream of water hitting the ground can cause many issues unless the ground is very sandy.
While gutters increase home values just a little, the real purpose of gutters is to keep water away from your house!
5 Reasons Why Your Gutter System is Vital
1. Gutters Protect & Prevent Mold, Moss, and Mildew
Areas that typically have high levels of moisture and are prone to weak ventilation are the deciding elements that not only make it possible for things like mold and moss to grow but actually accelerate their growth.
This usually is the case due to a lack of efficient drainage over time, which creates leakages in the fascia boards of the roof that have the potential to undermine the structural integrity of your roof seriously, let alone your wallet! Proper drainage via a gutter eliminates the risk of these growing in your home.
2. Curbside Appeal!
A home’s beauty is priceless, and to make it stand out in such a way is every homeowner’s goal. Gutters help with not only the functionality of your roof but add more years to its lifespan, allowing roofing material to endure over time.
As mentioned before, they have many different designs, colors, and styles at your disposal, giving them a unique aesthetic property. That being said, a positive consequence is generally a higher property value and resale value as a whole!
3. Guards your Siding
Did you know your siding is meant to repel water but not be drenched by it?
Weather often spells bad news for your home’s exterior over time and is often costly, especially regarding your siding. Direct rain is OK for your siding, but a continuous downpour from your roof can lead to leaks. Water can accumulate and get trapped between crevices that slowly wear it out.
Traditional gutters help efficiently dispose of excess water, so instances like that have a smaller likelihood of occurring. Remember that your siding is meant to deflect the rain, but a leaky gutter that allows rainwater to pour down the sides of your home can penetrate your home and cause issues!
If you happen to be running into issues you may need gutters if you don’t have them!
➡️ Why Gutter Guards Are Worth It!
4. Reduce the likelihood of Pests/Insects
Insects and other pests are likely to be in places where there is pooled water in and around your house, and without a gutter, it is an invitation for them to come, breed, and wreak havoc on your property. This can also be a health hazard as well, making your grounds ripe for diseases and other maladies. Gutters are attached with downspouts that control the flow of water away from the house, solving this probably from even occurring.
Pests include rodents, mosquitos, flies, birds, and much more! Without gutter guards, sometimes your gutter system can quickly become the home to birds nesting in the springtime.
5. Prevents Soil Damage
Water flowing freely with no direction from your roof looks harmless, but it negatively impacts your soil. Without proper drainage from gutters, excess water washes away the outermost layer of your soil, topsoil, taking essential minerals to sustain life.
Gutters (& their downspouts) provide predictable water displacement to ensure that your adjacent gardens and whatnot are not drowned and left lifeless.
Hiring a Local Gutter Company
With where tech is moving, finding a local roofing company can be done in one quick search on Google. Installing or replacing them is an excellent investment with the benefits of them down the road. Contact a professional, and they will point you in the right direction regarding what your home requires!
What’s the verdict?
Gutters are not the most attractive part of your home, but they sure do have an attractive role when it comes to protecting the exterior of your house. Drainage is essential and needs to be done efficiently as gradual wear and tear is bound to happen.
When you think about your gutters, think twice about what you’ve done to keep them in working order. If you’ve been at it, you’re in a good place for the long haul. If not, getting help could never hurt.
FAQ Gutters:
How do gutters work?
Gutters look like troughs that are mounted at the edge of your home’s roof. After your roof collects rainwater, your gutters transport the water to the vertical sectionals called downspouts, where the water is ushered away from your home. Clogged gutters prevent this process from working correctly and can cause a number of issues, from leaks to foundation problems.
What causes gutter clogs?
A common complaint against gutters is that they clog in heavily wooded areas. Sticks, leaves, and other debris can find their way into your gutters and, if not cleaned or taken care of, can lead to severe and costly damage to your home. Concrete structures such as a driveway have been known to erode simply because of a downspout or gutter issue.
What types of gutter guards are there?
In the world of gutter guards and covers, there are quite a few to pick from. Obviously, not all are created equally. For example, micro mesh gutter guards and metal mesh are not ideal since they themselves can get clogged. On the other hand, surface tension guards that are self-cleaning such as Raindrop gutter guards are an ideal way to protect your home’s gutter system.
Can gutters lead to your basement flooding?
In theory, your gutter system could prevent or lead to a basement flood. While there are other issues that are more likely to cause basement flooding, gutters that don’t work can damage your home’s foundation. A damaged foundation could lead to flooding.
What Size gutters are there?
You can get seamless aluminum gutters and gutter guards as follows:
- 5″ Gutters
- 6″ Gutters
- Gutter Guards
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