5 Benefits of Gutters (And When Gutters Might Not Be Necessary)
Gutters are such a small part of your entire home’s structure that they may seem insignificant at first glance. After all, how much does a small metal canal help your house?
Quite a bit, if you look closely enough. Rain is stronger than most people realize, with the ability to dig up trees, remove foundations, and wear away walls over years if left unchecked.
Explore the benefits of gutters and how a simple gutter installation can save you tens of thousands in weather damage repairs over time.
Why Are Gutters Important?
Are gutters necessary?
In most areas, gutters aren’t legally required. So, whether or not you install them is entirely up to you.
However, they serve an essential role in weather-proofing your home, so you will more than make up for the cost of gutter installation in how much you’ll save from damage protection.
What exactly do gutters do?
Gutters collect rain from your roof and channel it to safe areas on the ground.
5 Benefits of Gutters Installed on Your House
Explore five reasons why gutter installation is the best option for your home protection and budget.
1. Prevents Foundation Damage
Rainwater that falls directly at the base of your home will cause erosion over time. Gutters channel that water away from your home’s foundation. Removing the water helps avoid structural damage and soil erosion from water buildup over time.
2. Avoids Basement Flooding
Gutters control the flow of rainwater so it doesn’t collect near (or in) your home.
As rain falls on your roof, the natural place to flow next is off your roof and directly down, next to your foundation.
Water begins pooling at your foundation and seeping into your basement, causing expensive water damage.
However, gutters prevent this by collecting water from your roof before it hits the ground. It leads the water away from your foundation, where it might seep into your basement, and releases the water downhill away from your home, limiting the amount of water that builds up by your basement.
3. Protects Your Landscaping
Much of your landscape is right around your home.
Unfortunately, rain doesn’t consider your landscaping when it comes down. When you add roof runoff, your gardens easily flood and erode after heavy rainfall.
Gutters catch all the runoff that would otherwise erode your garden soil and flood your yard. Then, channel it to areas with minimal landscaping and a downhill flow away from your gardens.
4. Prevents Water Stains and Rot
Without gutters, rainwater usually runs down the side of your house, leaving behind unsightly water stains. The constant water exposure also increases the rate of wood rot.
Gutters keep your walls looking nicer while minimizing moisture exposure, so your walls last longer without mold and rot.
Instead of running down your walls, water flows down gutters and safely leaves your home.
5. Prevents Soil Erosion
Wherever water lands, it slowly erodes. If left unchecked, water running the same route down your home and through your landscape will significantly wear away the dirt, grass, and landscape.
For example, one raindrop can cause splash erosion, which scatters soil particles up to two feet away from where the raindrop lands. Pools of water running away from your home gather even more soil deposits, moving them away from your foundation.
Gutters release the water where the erosion will have minimal impact on your home. You can even use rocks to reinforce the area where you release water from your gutters to slow down the erosion.
When Are Gutters Not Necessary for a House?
While gutters have many benefits, some people in low-precipitation climates may not see enough rain to cause permanent damage (at least not in the homeowner’s lifetime).
Some homes also have roofs designed around directing waters.
For example, a house might have sloped roofs that direct water away from your foundation and have grading that leads the water on the ground to flow away from your home.
In those cases, gutters may not be necessary unless you want that extra layer of protection.
Alternatives to Gutters on Your House Worth Considering
Here are a few alternatives to gutters you might consider if gutters don’t fit your look or structure:
- Rain chains: Rain chains originated in Japan. While you still have gutters along the top of your roof, the chain replaces the downspout, where water flows toward the ground with a decorative hanging chain. The chain is best for those who dislike a traditional gutter’s aesthetic. They add beauty and a subtle spa-like sound.
- Grading: Grading uses natural landscaping to draw water away from your home’s foundation using slopes that place your house on the high ground. It works well with gutters as it directs water from the gutters away from the home.
- French drains: French drains go underground to move water that lands on the ground away from your home’s foundation.
While all these alternatives can help prevent damage, gutters offer you the most control over where water falls from your roofs and where it collects.
For example, gutters are necessary for keeping water from flowing in front of your door, windows, and near expensive landscaping areas.
Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Which gutters are best for you?
Contact a professional to receive an expert evaluation. At HMC Gutters, we offer high-quality gutters that fit every budget.
Our highly trained professionals are here for every gutter need, from complex installation to minor repairs, to keep your home safe from expensive water damage.
Contact us to get a quote today.