RAIN GUTTERS & YOUR HOME
The installation of rain gutters is very important for your property. A gutter system that is not in good shape can allow water to run underneath the shingles on the roof, causing roof damage. This can also become an issue when it snows, creating ice dams. A home without a gutter system can experience a myriad of other issues.
The gutters funnel the water to the downspout on the ground where it is directed away from the foundation of the home. This keeps the ground immediately around the house from becoming waterlogged and potentially leaking into the basement or causing other damage to the structure as well as surrounding landscaping.
Here’s why rain gutters are so important:
- Soil around the house is stabilized
- Foundation problems can be avoided
- Flooding under houses and in basements can be prevented
- Erosion can be prevented and this preserves landscaping and turf
- Water damage to siding can be prevented
- Water staining on brick and stone masonry can be prevented
- Settling and cracking of sidewalks, patios and driveways can be lessened
- Exterior doors and garage overhead doors can be preserved
Even a majority of houses with gutters don’t have a system that is complete and installed correctly. A properly installed gutter system will include seamless gutters on every sloped roof edge. The gutters should not hold standing water, should not leak, should be securely fastened to the fascias, and should have downspouts that are securely fastened to the exterior of the house.
Finally, downspouts should not terminate close to the foundation. This is a common mistake that installers and homeowners frequently make. What’s the use of having a complete gutter system that dumps all the water from the roof at the side of the foundation? What’s needed is a diversion away from the foundation. In many cases a section of flexible black plastic diversion piping can be used, or a section of downspout can be attached at the end of the elbow. It’s important to note that the concrete diverters that are often seen under downspout elbows are not adequate for water control.
Is your home or business ready for a gutter system? Or perhaps it’s time for an upgrade? We have years of experience installing complete gutter systems properly.