The Importance Of Gutters & How They Protect Your Home

Although gutters are one of the most critical components of a roof to protect a home, they're often missing or neglected, and it's no wonder since there are so many other things that keep us busy every day.

If there are no gutters on your home or they've aged to the point of needing to be replaced, you may have considered calling a gutter contractor but have put it off. Even if you know what gutters do, that they carry the rain away from the house, it's good to understand why they're so essential.

Why Gutters Are So Important

As a restoration contractor, we can tell you all about the cost of water damage restoration and mold mitigation. Let us say that you want to avoid these issues by installing gutters.

When a foundation sinks, it's most often because the ground underneath has slowly eroded due to property drainage problems. Homeowners who have to repair the slab, or foundation, find out just how expensive it is. The contractor may have to lift the foundation after it has dropped in a particular area and then fill the space underneath with new concrete.

Erosion underneath a slab foundation usually happens because rainwater has drained toward the house and formed pools near the foundation. The softened and wet soil gets washed away, very much like a mudslide but underneath the ground level. And yes, it's usually because the gutters either weren't working or were missing.

Another problem homeowners face is wood-rotting along the roof edge. Once this starts, the water continues to drip from the roof and seeps inside the rotting areas. Before you know it, all the moisture dripping inside the exterior walls causes extensive water damage. That can turn into mold or mildew. Water damage repair and mold mitigation are expensive.

Advantages of Seamless Gutters

If you've realized that installing new gutters is the right thing to do, you'll be looking at different options. Seamless gutters are a better choice for many reasons.

• Seamless gutters have no seams. At any point where there is a gutter seam, the system can leak. These are weak areas where the seams can and will, at some point, come loose. A gutter that leaks will drain the rainwater to the foundation.
• Also, the seams are where debris will get stuck along the gutter line. Clogs quickly form here. Have you ever tried to get rid of a gutter clog that's hard as a rock? They are hard to remove.
• Seamless gutters are custom-fit to the house. There will be one smooth line of seamless gutter installed along the entire roofline. It is a much stronger system because there are no weak seams. The seamless gutter contractor will custom cut the lengths according to the measurements of each area and then connect them with seamless downspouts.
• Seamless gutters look better and are less noticeable. There are even seamless gutters manufactured today that look like crown molding. A low-profile seamless gutter enhances the curb appeal of the house instead of diminishing it. You can still get all the beautiful styles in seamless gutters that you can in standard types, including copper. Yet, the appearance is much more attractive.

Avoid Gutter Clogs With Leaf Protection

There are several different leaf protection systems you can install, including those made for pine needles and those made to block leaves. Be sure you choose those which are suitable for the type of trees on your property. No matter which style you choose, a leaf protection system will help to keep the maintenance down.

Gutter cleaning can be a cumbersome chore, but it is essential to do it regularly if there is no leaf protection system installed. As debris builds up within the gutter system, it causes water pooling along the roofline, and the wet leaves and debris damage the shingles and the wood of the roof.