The Importance of Gutters
Gutters are one of those home features that we don’t often give much thought to, but they’re actually a key element in protecting your home from water damage.
Undoubtedly, when it’s raining outside, you’re focused on getting inside your home not focusing on how that gutter system works to keep you from getting drenched while standing underneath the roof overhang or noticing the water flowing into the downspouts and directed several feet away from the foundation of your home. That’s the benefit of having a properly installed gutter system.
These systems are composed of several different parts designed to route water away from the exterior walls and fascia, as well as help prevent water from seeping underneath your home or into the basement.
How Gutters Protect Your Home
Following are the primary ways a gutter system protects your home inside and out.
A highly functioning gutter system will be properly secured to the edge of the roof and void of any leaks at the seams. Likewise, the troughs along the home’s exterior must be angled in a way that prevents water from pooling. If not, the weight of the water will eventually pull the gutters away from the structure, that could lead to rotting wood or cracked surfaces.
In addition to the horizontal gutter attachments, a complete gutter system will have downspouts installed as well. These are generally attached along the edges of the home and work to divert the water from rain or snowmelt at least three feet from the foundation. Occasionally these will lead to drainage pipes underground but are quite often above ground for easy repair/replacement.
Routing the Water away from the House is a multipurpose Solution
While a quality gutter system can help alleviate minor inconveniences of a rainstorm, such as mud puddles forming in the walkways and dirt being tracked in the house, it does much more than that.
For instance, the foundation of a house is built directly on the soil and if that soil retains moisture for any length of time, problems like mold, mildew, cracks in the foundation, or even erosion can occur. Conversely, standing water is apt to lead to deterioration of siding, as well as damage nearby sidewalks, bricks, or decks.
Further, let’s not forget the amount of water the rooftop succumbs to during a rain or snowstorm. Again, a well-designed gutter system will help route the water away from eaves, preserving the exterior of your home which in turn reduces the risk of leaks into the attic or in between the exterior and interior walls. Overall, water has the ability to seep into very small cracks and often goes undetected, thus leading to mold growth – an issue that can result in major damage to your home as well as pose health risks.
Contact Us Today
Due to the fact that most of New York gets a lot of rain, a large majority of the area’s homes have gutters. If you are a homeowner or considering purchasing a home with a gutter system, contact your local home inspector to professionally assess all the home’s features. A well-trained inspection expert is well aware of common issues with homes in Saratoga and will provide you with a detailed report of concerns and repair options.
The Author Adam Clark is the owner and operator of Shield Guard Home Inspections. Adam Clark is a local Home Inspector located in Saratoga NY that has performed over 6000 Inspections
Phone: (518) 720-7152
Comments