When you think of crucial tasks for home maintenance, you probably don’t immediately think of your gutters. Although small, your gutters play a critical part in protecting your home from water damage inside and out. Caring for your gutters is one way you can keep your home in good condition in the long term. Keep reading to learn more about the effect gutters can have on your house and what you can do to make sure they serve you well.
What is the purpose of gutters?
Gutters catch rainwater rolling down from your roof and divert it away from your house. Essentially, they protect the foundation of your home, prevent erosion and water damage to the exterior of your home, and stop mold and mildew from growing. In addition, gutters keep water from reaching the underside of your roof, helping to extent the lifespan of your roof.
What would happen to my house without gutters?
If your house did not have gutters, you’d likely have serious, costly problems, starting from the ground up. When water falls freely from the roof, it can cause soil erosion and pool around the foundation, potentially causing significant cracks and other water damage. These problems can be expensive but they need to be fixed in order for you to have a safe and dry home to live in. If rainwater rolls under the roof, it can lead to rot in the soffit and fascia and to mildew growth that can spread to the interior of the house.
Why is maintaining your gutters so important?
If you don’t clean and maintain your gutters, it’s basically the same as not having them. More specifically, when debris clogs your gutters, water can back up onto the roof, causing the need to replace it more frequently. Rainwater will also start to overflow onto the soffit and fascia and collect at the foundation if not properly directed away from the house by gutters.
How do I maintain my gutters?
Keeping your gutter functional starts by making sure your gutters do not have holes or pull away from your house. In either case, they need to be repaired to perform their job properly. Otherwise, you need to regularly clean out leaves and other debris to prevent clogs, including in the downspouts, which should be set 3 to 5 feet away from the base of your home. Be especially diligent about gutter cleaning during autumn and spring when leaves and debris are more common.
In the end, the time, effort, and money you spend for the upkeep of your gutters pales in comparison to what it would cost you to fix all the problems caused by faulty gutters. Your home is worth protecting, and having a clean, strong gutter system helps you do just that. Before the April showers start this year, take the opportunity to get your gutters up to par.
About Platinum Gutters
Started by husband-and-wife team, Karl and Marjorie Pickens, Platinum Gutters serves homeowners in the Keller and Flower Mound areas. They offer a wide variety of options in gutter styles, color, and protection systems. To schedule a free estimate on gutter installation or repair, you can call 817-993-4095 or click here.