Rain Gutters 101
Why Rain Gutters
Rain gutters are not glamorous. In fact, we’re sure there are many things you’d rather purchase first for your home. So why do you need rain gutters?
What you may not also realize is that gutters are the very thing that protect many of the purchases made to beautify your home – a new deck or patio area; landscaping or repainting your house. Without gutters, the life and longevity of these investments can be literally cut in half.
Rain gutters are a critical component of a home’s roofing system and a long-term investment in the infrastructure of your home. Gutters serve a single purpose – to re-route and direct rain away that falls on the roof of your home. While rain is a welcomed sight in Central Texas, even just a few inches of rain can leave a destructive path. As discussed in Water Damage 101, gutters protect your home in multiple ways:
- Keeping water away from the foundation of your home, which can cause flooding and cracking of the foundation
- Protecting your landscaping and topsoil from washing away
- Avoiding waterfalls at entrances or other locations
- Guarding siding, rock and stucco from backsplash stains and rot
- Shield windows and doors from water infiltration and damage
- Preventing the ground around your home from being waterlogged
Gutter Installation
There are two aspects to every gutter system – the hardware and the installation of that hardware. While the hardware is important and there are multiple types to choose from, proper gutter installation is what truly protects your home. Discover Products.
Gutter installation is a science and not something that someone can just pick up overnight. There are numerous things critical to properly installing gutters and channeling rainwater away from a house including:
- Pitch – gutters installed at an improper or level pitch prevents water from flowing down the downspouts and creates areas of standing water causing rust through or insect infestation
- Downspouts – A downspout in the wrong location or no downspout at all leads to standing water or overflows during heavy rain
- Flashing – Flashing is hardware installed between the back of the gutters and the roofline. No flashing or not enough flashing exposes bare wood and can damage your shingles or deck underneath
- Location on the fascia – the fascia is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of your roof. If gutters are installed plum to roof on the fascia, they will not carry as much water away
- Support mechanisms – gutters should be installed with screws not nails and should also have supports strategically spaced under the gutters
- Seams – gutters need to be aligned perfectly or you can have leaking seams
Water Damage 101
FACT: Every one-inch of rain falling on the roof of a 2,500 square foot house creates 1,500 gallons of rainwater runoff. If you are collecting rainwater this is ideal. If you are not, then this could spell trouble for you and your property especially without the proper drainage system!
Water does more damage to homes than fire and wind combined. While most of it is obvious to the naked eye, some of the worst and most expensive damage happens over time and isn’t apparent until its too late.
Property
When you see wall stains, leaks or water pooling around your home it’s important you address the source not just the symptoms. Small problems leads to bigger issues if you do not direct water away from your home with gutters. Don’t ignore these signs.
Structural
Out of sight. Out of mind. A phrase easily applicable to your home’s foundation, interior walls, insulation and roof. However, no other parts of your home are more susceptible to water damage or come with a larger price tag to repair or replace.
Landscaping
Landscaping is the icing on the cake for your home. It elevates the exterior from plain and simple to a stunning visual centerpiece. And it’s not cheap. But just one storm could literally wipe it all out if you are not protecting your home with gutters.