One of the most important structural systems of a home is the roof. Rain gutters are a small part of the roof that is commonly ignored. The primary function of a gutter system is to direct rainwater, and other forms of precipitation, away from the building. By doing that, rain gutters for home use prevent damage caused by water on the structural and aesthetic elements of the building.
How rain gutters for home use prevent damage to your property
Rain gutters are mandatory if you want to increase the durability of your home. If your home does not have gutters or the existing gutters are damaged, you are looking at some of the following problems:
Roof damage
Clogged gutters and gutters that are not installed properly cause roof damage. The clog causes a pool of water to settle in the gutters. The water accumulates underneath the roof shingles near the gutter. In the winter, this water will freeze, melt, and refreeze - forming what is called an ice dam. The moisture causes roof rot. If the clog is not addressed quickly, the ice dam forms further up the roof causing more roof rot, and soon the whole roof will fail.
In the summer, the water that settles in the gutters becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Foundation damage
If you do not have gutters, water flowing down the roof creates a moat around your home. The water continues to collect in the moat and sips to the foundation. Water in the foundation will cause cracks, and after some time, the failing foundation will damage the whole building.
Rain gutters for home use direct the water from the roof away from the building. The downspouts connected to your gutters should direct the water at least eight feet away from the building’s foundation.
Leaking basements
Most American homes have basements as the foundation. As explained above, the effect of improperly installed gutters or lack of gutters is cracking of the foundation. You do not want your basement to leak water in, do you?
Wall damage
Have you seen walls with a “rusting” effect? The effect is caused by water from the roof flowing down the walls. This effect is only seen in homes with no gutters or improperly installed gutters. To prevent leaking of water to the walls, there should be no space between the roof and the gutters.
Proper installation and maintenance of rain gutters
To reap the benefits of rain gutters, they should be properly installed. The gutters should not leak and should be properly fastened to the fascia boards. Manufacturers provide installation instructions. Modern rain gutters are seamless so leaking should not be a major problem if you upgrade to these. For proper installation, seek the services of an experienced residential rain gutters installer.
The only thing more important than proper installation is maintenance. It is easy to forget the maintenance, as gutters are a small system so far above that seem to function without human input. But, a damaged and dirty gutter system does not serve its purpose.
Install rain gutters for home use!
Clearly, rain gutters prevent a plethora of problems. The gutters prevent foundation problems, increase the durability of your roof, and preserve the aesthetics of the exterior of your home. Talk to The Rain Gutters Los Angeles about installing new rain gutters or replacing the existing ones.
