Gutters are responsible for diverting water away from a home’s roof to keep water from collecting and causing damage. Gutters are an important part of your home’s water management system and keep your house from suffering from mold and rot.
Are you a homeowner in the Harford County, Maryland area looking to install new gutters? Perhaps you need your old ones repaired and are wondering why gutters are so important in the first place. This guide from Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC will teach you all there is to know.
We will explain what gutters are and their purpose. We will also explain the basics of gutters and their care to help expand your understanding of this important part of your home’s exterior. Keep reading to learn the role of gutters!
What are Gutters?
Gutters are narrow channels installed on the edges of a roof and collect and redirect rainwater away from your home. The gutter system also includes downspouts that carry the water down from the edges of the roof and away from the house.
Gutters can be made of many different kinds of materials and in many different colors and designs. Some common materials are vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized steel.
The Purpose of Gutters on Your Home
Gutters help with rainwater management and prevent water damage to your home, foundation, and landscaping. Properly functioning gutters will help seal your home against the elements, and guard you from issues like flooding, erosion, and structural damage that can be caused by collected water.
The Benefits of Gutters on Your Home
The benefits of gutters include water damage prevention, prolonged siding and paint lifespans, and more. By investing in high-quality gutters, you will be rewarded with an extra layer of protection against your home that will serve you for years to come.
We will discuss these benefits in greater detail below.
- Prevents Water Damage: by channeling water away from your house, you will protect your home against water damage. Water damage can happen on almost any part of your home’s exterior, which can cause leaks to your home’s interior.
- Protects Your Foundation: Keeps a stable moisture level around your home’s foundation, which prevents major costly structural issues.
- Maintains Siding and Paint: Well-maintained and functioning gutters will prevent water from running down your siding, which will help to preserve your home’s paint job and siding materials.
- Guards Against Basement Flooding: By carrying water away from your home and foundation, you will be protected from your basement flooding from excess moisture.
- Reducing Soil Erosion: Soil erosion can weaken the integrity of your landscaping, which gutters directly help to prevent by controlling the flow of rainwater.
- Protecting Windows and Doors: Rainwater runoff can severely damage doors and windows, which are vulnerable areas of your home’s exterior. Gutters help keep water from these areas, preserving their longevity.
- Guards Against Mold and Mildew: Without gutters, excess moisture could collect on your walls and foundation, leading to mold and mildew growth. Gutters keep your property drier.
- Protection Against Pests: Damage caused by excess water, like rot, can be a breeding ground for insects and other pests. Gutters can help mitigate this risk by safely carrying away water, and keeping your home safe from vulnerabilities that could let in pests.
- Preventing Ice Dam Formation: Ice dams form when snow melts on the roof and then isn’t able to drain properly, which causes it to refreeze. This process causes significant damage to roof shingles. With clear gutters to carry away water, this won’t happen.
Replacing or Repairing Your Gutters with a Professional
Hiring a professional to replace or repair your gutters is the safest and most efficient way to ensure your home’s exterior stays dry and protected. While the affordability of a DIY approach may tempt you, a poorly installed gutter system can cause long-term damage down the road.
The right professional will be trained, licensed, and experienced in servicing homes in your local community. Additionally, a professional contractor can help you determine what size gutter would be best for your home, as well as what would look best with your siding and home exterior.
Conclusion
A well-maintained gutter system is an important part of your home’s exterior that carries rainwater away from your roof and foundation. Without gutters, your home could suffer from roof, siding, and foundational damage.
If you live in Harford County and are ready to install new gutters or replace your existing ones, contact Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC today! We have years of experience with gutters, as well as roofing and siding. Our goal as a company is to make sure you have a home exterior you’re proud of.
You can visit us online today or call us at (410)593-3597!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How necessary are gutters for a home?
Gutters are necessary for a home because they help keep rainwater from leaking into your roof, siding, and foundation. Gutters will carry rainwater away and deliver it through downspouts, which carry the water away from the house. This helps protect your property.
What are the long-term consequences of not having gutters?
Long-term consequences of not having gutters are significant water damage to your home. Without gutters to carry away rainwater, it would collect at the base of your home and get into your foundation, making it break. It can also cause siding and roofing leaks.
Does having gutters increase your property value?
Gutters themselves do not directly add value to your property, however, you will certainly lose property value if you were to neglect to add a proper water management system for your home’s exterior. This is because of the water damage your home would most likely suffer.
