How Important are Gutters on Your House?

Gutters on a house aren’t just a decorative thing to have. They actually serve an important purpose. Rain is a natural element and it can cause damage to your home when not controlled by gutters. Here we are going to talk about the benefits of having gutters installed and keeping them maintained.

The Benefits

• They keep the soil stabilized around the foundation, minimizing problems
• Prevents flooding happening under your home and into your basement
•  Prevents erosion and preserves your landscaping
• Prevents water damage to the siding  
• Prevents water staining to the brick or stone masonry on your home
• Lessens the cracking and settling of the driveway, patio, and sidewalk around your home
• Preserves the exterior doors to your home

Properly Installed Gutters

Not only are gutters important to your home’s stability, but they must be properly installed to do their job. Each roof edge that is sloped should have rain gutters and they need to be fastened securely to avoid problems. If they hold water instead of sending the water to the downspouts, it can backup under the shingles.

The downspouts should be placed so that they go out and away from the foundation at least three feet. In some cases, the contractor will install a section of flexible black plastic hose/pipe material to the end of a downspout so that the water can be directed away.

Maintenance

Once gutters are installed, the work isn’t done. They need to be cleaned from time to time to remove any debris, leaves, or limbs that have blown in or fell in them. When gutters are left uncleaned, you may experience one or all of the following:

• Water dams up and rots the eaves
• Water will begin to leak in your house and damage the ceiling, flooring or walls
• Mosquitoes and other insects will breed in the water
• The leaves can be a fire hazard
• The gutters will begin to rot, then leak