Water is the number one problem for every home. We want to do whatever possible to make sure the home is waterproof. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about your rain gutters often or realize what an important role they play in keeping your home and property safe from water damage.
The Many Ways That Gutters Defend Your Home
Your home is made up of multiple components, which makes it vulnerable to damage from rainwater, especially in these key areas:
- Where the roof meets the walls. Without effective gutters, wind-driven rain coming off the roof can enter the attic, or travel down inside the exterior walls. On the outside, repeated downpours can ruin the siding, or stain the brick or stone facade.
- Around the foundation perimeter. If it’s not routed away, water runoff can cause shifts in the soil, foundation cracking and interior flooding. If your HVAC ductwork is embedded in the slab—a common practice in older homes—rainwater seepage can cause corrosion and mold growth in the ducts.
How Do I Know They Are Doing the Job?
At least twice a year make sure that your gutters:
- Are properly secured to the fascia so rainwater enters and drains away through the gutter.
- Are angled correctly to prevent standing water in the troughs.
- Have securely-attached downspouts to carry water away.
- Have correctly-placed downspouts that are long enough to divert the flow of water so it drains at least three feet from the foundation.
When the Gutters Are Working
- Soil around the foundation stays stable, which prevents flooding under the slab, soil erosion and damage to the turf and landscape plantings.
- Exterior siding and masonry are protected against damage from repeated downpours of water.
- Driveway, sidewalks and patios are less likely to settle or crack.
- Roof edge and fascia boards don’t deteriorate.
- Risk is reduced for hazardous mold growth in the attic, walls or ducts.
