Guest Blogger #586, Entry #1352, June 30, 2012
People who live in areas that get a lot of rain are likely more familiar with all manner of wet-weather paraphernalia. From galoshes, slickers, and umbrellas to the best all-weather tires and windshield wipers, these folks have the 4-1-1 on surviving a deluge. So they are well aware of the benefits of rain gutters. But since most people live in climes that aren’t beset by rain nine months out of the year, gutters simply may not seem like a necessity; at least not until it starts pouring. And you might wonder what the point of installing them is anyway. Won’t the rain simply run off the roof with or without a gutter hanging on the eaves to catch it? What exactly do you need a gutter for and how is it beneficial to your home? In truth, you might be surprised by all that this seemingly mundane addition has to offer. Here are a few good reasons to install gutters around your home.
Install gutters to ensure proper water drainage off your roof
Image via
The benefits of rain gutters
While you can certainly let water pour off your house and onto the ground below, the main benefit of gutters is that they carry this rain away from your home to prevent it from pooling up around the house and causing damage to your foundation. Suppose, for example, that your climate receives rain late in the season, and that water pools around your house, fills tiny cracks in the concrete foundation, and then freezes overnight. If you remember anything from grade school science class then you know that fluids expand when they freeze. This could cause severe damage to your foundation leading to even more serious problems with your home and a host of extensive and expensive repairs.
That’s probably the worst that could happen, but without gutters you could face a whole host of other issues. Since gutters extend beyond the eaves of your home (and in some cases run down the roof), they help to keep water away from doors and window where it could seep inside, and they can also protect the roof, fascia boards, and siding on your home. And if you happen to have exposed soil near the house, the downpour will turn it into muddy muck and likely splash it all over the side of your house, creating a mess for you to clean in the aftermath. Or alternately, if you have flower beds or other landscaping abutting your exterior walls, heavy rain could easily drown the soil, leading to root rot and killing your plants. With gutters in place to funnel the water to a specific location you can actually place a cistern, a barrel, or a bucket under the spout to catch the runoff for targeted (rather than excessive) watering.
Installing gutters and downspouts for your home is essential
Image via
Maintaining your gutters
Now, you may be wondering about the hassles of cleaning your gutters, and it can definitely be a big chore since leaves and other debris can fall in and get caught year round, clogging the gutters and causing backups when it rains. But with a gutter guard (or even DIY mesh overlay) in place you can keep larger detritus out of the gutter so that it can easily be swept away, leaving your gutters clear and functional during the rainy season with little maintenance. All in all, installing gutters is a great idea and it could just save you from expensive home repairs down the line.
For more maintenance ideas on Stagetecture, click here.
Find more outdoor home tips look in the 111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home Ebook here.
Receive Stagetecture's Daily Lifestyle Ideas
FREE - Daily emails with recipes, home decor, D.I.Y, and lifestyle tips! : ) Who doesn't need help?
My husband and I just moved to a new location that is a lot more rainy that what we are used to. We have never had rain gutters before but a few neighbors have suggested we get them, so I really appreciate this information on how they work and what their benefits are. It’s interesting how you point out that not only do rain gutters keep water from pooling around your home, it also helps protect the siding of your home. I imagine that it will save us a lot of money in repairs further down the line. Thanks again for sharing this!