How Do Gutters Work and Why Are They Necessary?

Nearly every house has rain gutters. A rain gutter system is designed to move water away from home and its foundation. Gutters are an integral, yet one of the most neglected, part of roofing systems. Neglected gutters often develop leaks that prevent them from functioning properly.

Some homeowners even remove their gutters. This could prove to be a costly mistake. Not having gutters will mean rainwater will cascade down your roof to your backyard and foundation.

Why Are Gutters Important?

When it rains, every 100 feet of a traditional 2,300 sq. ft roof accumulates and drains around 60 gallons of water per inch of precipitation. This means a traditional roof will drain around 1,380 gallons of water for every inch of rain.

If you don’t have gutters, those 1,380 gallons of water will make their way very close to your foundation, affecting the ground’s ability to support the foundation. This can lead to foundation problems such as shifting, moving, and cracking. In a worst-case scenario, water can seep through the basement walls, creating cracks.

A wet basement is a recipe for disaster. It can quickly become a haven for mold and disease-causing germs. If you ignore the problem, you might end up with a full-blown infestation.

Foundation damage is expensive to repair. A typical foundation repair job involves lifting the house on jacks, carrying out the necessary repairs, and finally setting the house back down. The process can cause other latent structural problems to manifest, creating additional complications.

How Do Gutters Work?

Gutters are strategically placed at the leading edges of a roof to collect water during heavy rain. The collected rainwater is directed to a safe area, away from the foundation via downspouts. If you want to conserve water, you can direct your downspouts into rain barrels or hoses. You can use this water on drier.

How Should I Maintain My Gutters?

Over time, gutters become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. Many pests such as mice and rats use gutters as nesting spots. To prevent these problems, every homeowner should make gutter maintenance a priority.

Regularly inspect and clean out your gutters. Check the downspouts for clogs and consider installing downspout extensions and gutter guards.

When Should I Replace a Gutter System?

Gutters have a service life. With proper care and maintenance, a gutter system can last 20 years. Some systems made from high-quality materials last up to 100 years. You know you need a new system when you start noticing signs of corrosion or leaks develop in your existing system.

ARS Roofing, Gutters & Solar is your go-to team for gutter installation in Santa Rosa. Once we install your gutter, we will come up with an effective maintenance plan to prevent problems before they occur and extend the lifespan of your gutters. To schedule a gutter inspection and clean-up, call (707) 584-5900.

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