Does My House Need Roof Gutters?

Your gutters are an important part of your roof’s ecosystem. Gutters direct rainwater away from your home, protecting various elements from damage. These handy drainage systems also protect your home’s foundation from getting worn down by rain troughs. Additionally, they prevent excess rainwater from causing damage to your gardens and landscaping. Gutters can, however, be a nuisance to some homeowners. When blocked, gutters need extensive cleaning to get rid of debris. Some residents also blame gutters for the formation of ice dams during cold weather. This makes them argue that they are unnecessary. In this article, we are going to see whether you need roof gutters for your house.

Why Your House May Need Gutters

Some houses need gutters while others get by fine without them. Some of the reasons you’ll need gutters are:

• Weak Soils

Houses built on weak soils, particularly red clay, will need gutters. As the rain pours down your roof, these soils will begin to form valleys. These valleys expand and lengthen, eventually reaching your foundation. These soils tend to form a pipeline that creates a path of least resistance for rainwater to pass through. As they keep delivering water to the same spot, these soils contribute to the eventual weakening of your foundation, which will cost thousands to repair. Gutters, downspouts, and drainpipes will help you guide the water to a safe spot away from your house.

• The Roof Lacks an Overhang

If your roof fits close to the walls, your foundation could be in trouble. These roofs allow rainwater to start seeping around your foundation, weakening it over time. Frequent rains will lead to the formation if trenches which encourage the pooling of water. If your roof has little or no overhang gutters will prevent water from pooling around your foundation when it rains. Additionally, the gutter will prevent pools that hinder access during sporadic rains. Gutters are a great compensation for a lacking overhang.

• Your House is at The Bottom of a Slope

If the landscape surrounding your house slopes upwards, you’ll need a gutter system. This is because the slope will allow water to collect along your foundation. Rain gutters will prevent this by letting you redirect the water to a place with a favorable slope. Soil erosion is also prominent if your house is surrounded by a sloping landscape. By slowing down the flow of rainwater, gutters help reduce soil erosion, protecting your foundations from exposure to external forces.

• You Want to Protect your Basement and Siding

If you have a basement, it is in your best interest to have roof gutters installed. Runoff from your roof could saturate the soils around your foundation walls. Over time, this causes the development of cracks in the foundation, which means groundwater will seep into your basement. This could lead to flooding or the growth of mold on your basement walls, threatening the health of your home’s occupants. Rainwater also causes staining on your siding as it carries debris down your walls. If your siding is made of wood, rainwater would cause it to rot over time. Getting gutters will protect your siding from rain damage, reducing the chances of rot, pests, and an unsightly façade.

When Gutters May not be Needed

Gutters are not a building code requirement. In fact, depending on where you live, your home could do fine without gutters. Here are scenarios where you won’t need roof gutters:

• Your Landscape Slopes Downwards

If your surrounding landscape slopes away from your home, you may not need to install roof gutters. An outward sloping landscape naturally directs runoff water away from your home’s foundation. This means that gutters could be an added expense for you. You should, however, consult a roofing contractor before you decide not to install a roof gutter.

• You Have a Concrete Sidewalk, Patio or Driveway Surrounding your Home

Concrete is a pretty water repellant material. If your home is surrounded by a concrete structure, you can be sure that runoff water won’t come in contact with your foundation. This protective barrier could make gutters unnecessary, subject to other conditions.

• You Have a Steep-Slope Roof with Large Overhang

A steep slope roof with a long overhang does a great job of directing runoff away from your house. Displaced rainwater could be an issue for your landscape, but not your walls or foundation.

• You Live in a Dry Climate

If you live in an area that expects little rain, gutters may not be necessary. While these areas may get some precipitation a couple of times every year, this is never enough to warrant gutter installation.

Signs that It is Time to Install Gutters

You’ll that a lack of gutters is affecting your home when you see:

• Basement flooding
• Rot and Mold on the Siding
• Water Troughs on Your Landscape

Conclusion

If you notice the above signs, your home probably needs roof gutters. If you feel your home needs gutters, you should also be ready to clean and maintain them periodically. That’s why Aspen offers premium roofing services so you can keep your home and roof system in perfect condition. Talk to us today so we can discuss your gutter and other Florida roofing needs.

If you are in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, and need help with your gutters, Contact us today to join a network of happy customers satisfied with our excellent workmanship and service delivery.