The gutters around the exterior of your home do more than add curb appeal to the property. A functioning gutter system helps to move rain water off the roof and dispense it in a safe manner that will not diminish the property. Leaking water from damaged gutters can lead to costly repairs that can be eliminated by making certain the system is operating as designed.
These factors will highlight the importance of having a working gutter system;
Problems to Foundation Avoided
If a section of the gutter system is not operating as designed, the water can leak down the side of the home and to the foundation. The longer this water trickles down the side of the house, the more damage is being done as the water begins to compromise the construction of the foundation over time. If this issue is left for years, cracks in the foundation from water damage can lead to costly repairs.
Basement Flooding Will Be Prevented
The longer that it rains and the more the water is leaking over the gutter, the more likely water is getting too close to the house. When rain water begins to pool around the sides of the home, it only has one place to go. Once the water penetrates the foundation, it can easily begin to access the basement area. Covering the basement masonry with waterproofing paint is expensive at this point, the cost-effective solution will be addressing the source, getting the gutter system repaired so water doesn’t come near the home foundation.
Wood Damage to Home Limited
When the gutter system is not operating to perfection or there is debris clogging the down spouts, water will remain in the gutter until it overflows from the front or back. The water in contact with the wood framework coupled with that added weight of the gutters can start to damage the section holding it in place. The wood becomes like a sponge, so nails can no longer hold the gutter in place, and sagging will occur.
Stabilizing the Soil Around the House
The soil around the home helps plants and flowers to grow but is also is needed to stabilize certain areas. Weed tarps and mulch help to transform certain areas around the house, but if the water from the gutters is rushing to that location, everything is washed away with each rain event. Stabilizing the soil will also help certain plants to grow, but too much water changes the mix and could make it impossible to grow the plants you like.
Avoiding Staining of Stone and Brick Masonry
The gutter system is designed to take the rain water from the roof as disperse it into the lawn or even rain barrels. If the rain water is flowing over the gutter, it can start to cause water damage to the driveway, walkways, and beautiful stone masonry leading around the house to the patio. Staining takes away from the curb appeal of the property because everything starts to look weathered.
Protecting Garage and Exterior Doors
The gutter system takes rain water away from the overhang of exterior doors and garage door. When the system is not performing, water dumps down in these areas and will get you soaked instead of limiting the amount of water that hits you as you leave the house.
Preserving the Landscaping Around the Home
When the soil near the sides of the home is being washed away because rain water is not traveling down the gutter system, the root system of the plants will never take. As more soil is washed away, so too is your beautiful landscaping. Certain plants do not need an abundance of water, so when the gutter is not dispersing the water to the other areas of the house, these plants get too much water and can develop diseases and show signs of mold growth.
Many of the issues that we discussed today can be eliminated when the gutter system is in working order. Be sure to have your system inspected and repaired by a professional contractor before attempting to do any work high up on the sides of your home.
