Why do some homes have gutters and others not? What do gutters do? Are there different types of gutters? Read on to determine if they’re beneficial for your home.
Rain Gutters are long, narrow tubes used to reroute rain that falls on the roof of a home or building. The gutters funnel the water to the downspout on the ground where it’s directed away from the foundation of the home. This keeps the ground immediately around the house from becoming waterlogged and potentially leaking into the basement or causing damage to the structure as well as surrounding landscaping.
Without gutters, rain runs down the roofline creating a waterfall effect. If the roof has a wide overhang, this may not be too much of a problem for the foundation. But entering and leaving the home without getting wet can be more difficult especially during heavy rains, or seasonal thawing and freezing cycles.
The Cons About Gutters
Because gutters are usually left open, they collect more than rainwater. Leaves, yard debris and insects get into gutters as well. Debris hinders water flow, causing water to back up in the gutter and to overflow. Gutter screens can be added to prevent debris from accumulating. Gutters may also become damaged. Ice, tree limbs, animals, and even heavy rains may dent gutters, weigh them down so they sag, or cause them to pull away from the house. Ice can be particularly destructive in our geographic climate causing both substantial damage to the gutter and to the structure or roof.
Consequently, gutters must be maintained regularly and cleaned once or twice a year, depending on your conditions. For instance, large trees near your home could result in more debris accumulating in the gutters. Spring and summer are the best times for maintenance. Use a garden hose to simulate rain and walk around the home to check for leaks or water that is not draining properly. At Gutter Solutions, we offer a unique product, Gutter Helmet®, to protect your gutters from debris, thus eliminating the need to clean them.
The Pros About Gutters
While gutter maintenance can be a nuisance, fixing damaged gutters is not difficult or expensive. Holes can be patched and plugged with roofing cement. Sagging or loose gutters can usually be hammered back into place. If gutters are badly damaged, a single section can be replaced. Gutters cost as little as $2.50 per foot, depending on the material used, and can be found at your local home center.
Home gutters are most commonly made from vinyl, steel, aluminum or copper. Vinyl is light and strong, but it can become brittle in very cold weather making it more prone to damage from ice or hail. Vinyl gutters may last 5 years or more depending on the thickness and quality of the material. Steel is durable and holds a lot of weight, but it rusts where the finish wears off or becomes damaged. Depending on the coating used on the metal, steel gutters may last from 10 to 50 years.
Aluminum does not rust, but it dents easily compared to other types of gutter material. Aluminum gutters may last 20 to 25 years on average. Notwithstanding a minimum number of seems, aluminum gutters generally minimize the opportunity for leaks. Copper gutters are beautiful and make a design statement besides their actual purpose, but are expensive. With time, the copper develops a rich patina. Unfortunately, copper gutters can make homes a target for thieves because they are valuable and eye-catching.
Choosing whether or not to install gutters and, if so, what type of gutters, depends on your property, weather conditions, and budget. Weigh the pros and cons of home gutters to determine if they’re right for your home.
At Gutter Solutions, we would be happy to schedule a no-obligation appointment to evaluate your particular situation and offer suggestions to mitigate any rainwater disposal issues affecting your home or business.
Contact Mike at (406) 222-0846 or email info@guttermontana.biz.
MIKE MOORE, Gutter Solutions’ Business Manager
As a manager, business owner, and entrepreneur for over 30 years, Mike is uniquely qualified to provide a high level of customer service and an unsurpassed level of expertise in new construction and remodeling. Mike has been an important element of our team for the last three years. Among his many hobbies and interests are hunting, fishing, woodworking, and wildlife viewing.
