Why do houses have gutters

It is a common misconception that gutters create ice dams during winter weather. Unfortunately, the presence of ice dams is evidence of a problem with your attic or crawl space. This is usually a matter of poor ventilation or insulation, and you are at risk of damage to your roof regardless of whether a gutter is installed or not.

You should contact a professional to check your attic and remedy the underlying issue. CostHelper provides cost estimates for installing or replacing gutters. They also offer cost estimates for having your gutter professionally cleaned.

Understanding Rain Gutters The basic function of a gutter is to provide a channel for redirecting water. How They Work The gutters along your roof catch rainwater as it washes down the side of the roof.

When Are They Necessary? Some of these instances are: Red clay — Ground rich in clay can be very difficult to work with, and once water makes its way to your foundation, the clay will serve as a pipeline to continue delivering water to the same spot.

By using gutters with a drainpipe and ground-based gutter line, you can direct the water a safe distance from your home. The surrounding landscape slopes upwards — When your home is at the bottom of a slope on at least one side, water will pool along the foundation both above and below ground.

Using gutters on that side of the home will allow you to redirect the water towards a downward sloping side. A small gutter along the ground will assist with any runoff from the landscaping.

Little or no overhang — Roofs which fit close to the home allow water to pour from the roof to within a foot of the foundation, creating numerous problems. Frequent rains will cause trenches to form where the water forms. Rainwater remains close to the foundation once absorbed by the ground, causing extensive damage over time. You may also have to pass through a waterfall when entering or exiting your home during a storm.

When Are They Optional? Your home does not require gutters if: The landscaping around your home slopes downwards — especially when other factors are present.

Protect your foundation. Worse than eroding the soil, which is a comparatively less costly fix, too much water seeping into your foundation requires a highly expensive fix, and can be dangerous.

Protect siding. Rainwater is going to batter your siding regardless, but when additional water slowly drips off the roof, it can stain and, depending on your type of siding, possibly rot your siding, decreasing its life span.

Prevent flooding. Directing water toward a drain or safe area eliminates puddles, which can lead to flooding. Are Gutters Always Necessary? There are no laws that require new construction to include gutters. And, although rare, depending on where you live and the type of construction, gutters may be nothing more than an added expense and maintenance project for you.

However, there are a few reasons you might not need the added expense and maintenance. During a roofing consultation, our experts can guide you on your gutter system. Does it need to be cleaned? Completely re-installed?

Every part of your roof, gutters included, is intended to prolong the life of your home. We live in the woods, on granite, on a hill side, banged out of the rock. We both have walk-outs. Such a waste of time and money. People who really love gutters, sell gutters. Your Website. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. The SpoutOff helps protect your home from thousands of dollars in water damage.

Gutters vs. No Gutters. Here is what you need to know. Think You Need Gutters? Now What? Ways to clean your gutters: A leaf blower or a hose— but make sure you wear goggles and a dust mask and heavy work gloves.

Purchase a gutter cleaning kit that can connect to your leaf blower. Use a garden trowel or gutter scoop to clean it out by hand. For best results, start at the drain outlet near the low end of the gutter. Then just dump into a bucket to dispose of when you are all done. It is best to do it when the leaves are only slightly damp not real soggy. August 4, at am. Angela says:.

April 10, at am. J D Porter says:. May 8, at pm.