What is the Importance of Gutters?

Rain gutters play an important role in keeping a home or other building structurally sound as well as keeping the environment healthy. However, the importance of gutters on a home is not easily evident and many homeowners neglect to properly maintain the rain gutters on their homes. While gutter repair can be frustrating, rain gutters that are not properly working can lead to significant problems for a building and those that live in it.

Removing Water From Foundations

The primary reason for gutters is to remove moisture from the ground near a home or other building. Excessive moisture around a building can cause the foundation to settle unevenly which can result in cracked foundations as well as damage to the exterior and interior of the building from the shifting foundation. Moisture that is allowed to fall and remain on the ground may also seep into a basement or crawl space. An overly moist basement or crawl space can cause damage to the structural soundness of the building and repairing this damage will be difficult and expensive.

Preventing Roof Damage

Water running down a roof that is not caught in a gutter can run under shingles or other roof surfaces, damage soffit and fascia, and run behind exterior walls. The water that is leaking into the building may not show signs inside the building until significant damage is done that will require both structural and cosmetic repairs that are usually both expensive and time consuming.

Keeping Moisture Out

A moist home affects the comfort of those living inside and can cause interior and structural surfaces to rot. Without gutters the water from the roof can work its way into the roof of a home or enter the walls from the ground.

Deterring Mold Growth

Mold inside and outside of a home or other building can cause various health problems, some of which can be fatal. Mold needs a moist environment to grow, and improperly functioning gutters can lead to both as moisture from the roof can lay against a home as well as inside the walls and roof.

Deterring Pests

Many pests thrive in a moist environment such as is provided in damp basements and crawlspaces. These pests will quickly find their way into the building and cause allergy or other health problems.