The Wonder of Gutters: Revealing Their Purpose

What is the purpose of gutters? Not every homeowner understands the importance or purpose of gutters. Although it might seem straightforward to comprehend, gutters channel moisture safely and efficiently from the roof to an area of the property where it can collect or drain effectively. Without a gutter system, the home becomes far more susceptible to moisture intrusion and water damage.

A home that incurs substantial water damage will face significant repair or replacement expenses for everything from the roofing and siding to windows, doors, insulation, ceilings, floorings, and drywall. Moisture intrusion also leads to mold and mildew formation, which may force a homeowner to perform expensive remediation measures to rehabilitate damaged areas of the home. It can also damage the house so much that it is beyond repair.

What Is The Purpose Of Gutters?

Gutters and downspouts are your home’s exterior water management system. Without them, you do not have a veritable means of channeling water from your roof. As such, your house and property become subject to chance. In other words, you have no control over where water flows and to what location it collects on, in, or under your home. Averting this danger occurs when you choose to add a new gutter system. However, you want to work with a knowledgeable professional with extensive experience designing and installing gutter systems.

1. Avoid Foundation Damage

Hydrostatic pressure. Most homeowners do not know this term. However, they may become aware of its effect if the home does not have gutters. How? As the soil around a home’s foundation becomes saturated with moisture that doesn’t drain away into the soil, hydrostatic pressure exerts tremendous force on the foundation. New cracks form. Existing cracks expand. The foundation walls can bow or rotate. Groundwater can also permeate the soil and travel below the foundation, causing shifting. Major structural problems may result.

2. Guard Against Mold And Mildew

Gutter systems are the most effective means of channeling water away from the home safely and efficiently. Houses without gutters, including downspouts, face a much greater risk of moisture intrusion into the interior. If water finds entry into dark, poorly ventilated areas, it creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew formation. Unfortunately, a homeowner may not know this issue for months, if not years. If mold or mildew spreads, it can become highly toxic to occupants, jeopardizing their health and well-being.

3. Lower The Risk Of Basement Flooding

Rainwater may flow off the roof and pool adjacent to the home’s foundation without a gutter system and corresponding downspouts. If cracks, even tiny ones, exist in the foundation, water can drain through them into the basement. As moisture passes through the cracks, it causes degradation of the foundation material, forcing even larger cracks to develop. As water accumulates in the basement, a homeowner may not know the seriousness of the problem until it is too late. Avoid this with gutters.

4. Prevent Water Damage To Roofing System

A properly functioning and optimally performing gutter system reduces the risk of moisture intrusion through the roof, including its sublayers. Without gutters, the probability of water slipping under the outer roofing materials increases substantially. If moisture enters various sublayers, roofing materials experience deterioration, such as wood rot. When roofing systems break down, their lifespan decreases – in some cases, by 50% or more. Homeowners are susceptible to expensive repairs and, eventually, replacement.

5. Protect Landscaping And Hardscaping

A home with a malfunctioning gutter system or no gutter system creates a problem for landscaping, yard space, and hardscaping (driveways, retaining walls, sidewalks, patios, decks, etc.). Water runs off the roof and flows wherever gravity leads it. Unfortunately, a homeowner cannot control where water channels and collects without gutters. Landscaping and hard surfaces can become breeding grounds for pooling water. Standing water causes erosion of soil and landscaping rock and degradation of asphalt and pavement.

6. Reduce The Likelihood Of Pest Infestation

Although homeowners might not consider this possibility, a lack of gutters and enclosed downspouts significantly increases the likelihood of pests (insects, birds, small rodents, bees, etc.) entering the home. How? As moisture impedes through the outer roofing layer to the sublayers, these roofing materials deteriorate, resulting in fissures, holes, and openings forming. Pests only need tiny gaps to access a home and start nesting. Once inside, they can be challenging to remove.

Customized Gutters Solutions For Homeowners