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Your house is your home. A sanctuary that keeps you safe and warm. Your home is your first defense against the elements out there and every homeowner understands how important it is to ensure the external facade of the home is well and truly taken care of.
When you think about the outside of your home, rain gutters are often one aspect that gets overlooked. That is, until the rain is pounding down hard on your house and you’re suddenly thankful that you’ve installed quality rain gutters that ensure your home has a proper drainage system in place. The gutters of the home are often forgotten about because they’re not exactly a glamorous addition to the home.
They may not look great, but there is no denying that they do have an important role to play. Without gutters installed properly around your roof, there is nowhere for the rain to go. The gutters are the ones responsible for keeping your home high and dry. They are the ones responsible for protecting the foundation of your home, windows, and doors from any kind of long-term water damage.
Most roofs these days already come with gutters installed. If you are thinking about re-roofing your home or improving your gutter installation, it is important to get your roof fitted with quality gutters that will get the job done right.
Controlling the Flow
Your gutter is an important piece of your home. The gutter is meant to control the water that falls on your roof everytime it rains or snows. All that water that is falling down on your roof needs somewhere to go, and that is what a gutter is for. It gives all that water a single flow direction, moving it away from your home.
Without a good gutter system in place, rain water is going to accumulate all around your home, building up and eventually destroying the foundation of your home. Gutters protect your home more than you realize. Did you know that a good gutter system can keep erosion at bay by controlling the water runoff from your roof? Not only does this protect your home and its foundation, it also protects the landscaping around your property.
Are Gutters Necessary for Every Home?
Given how modern home designs have changed a lot from what a traditional look of a house should be, the answer is no. Gutters are not necessary for every type of home. If your home is in a location that rarely experiences rainfall or snow, then gutters are not a necessary installation.
If you live in a home that has already existed for a long time without any gutters and it is doing just fine, then the design of your home is one that probably doesn’t require any guttering system. However, it is still a good idea to get the property inspected by a professional just to be on the safe side. You may think your home is doing fine without them, but a professional might be able to spot something you missed.
You also probably don’t need any gutters installed if your home is located on a hill. That is because the ground would naturally be sloping away from you already. When it rains, the water is going to flow away naturally. If your home also happens to be surrounded by concrete, then gutters might not be necessary. The primary role that gutters play is to prevent long-term water damage.
If your home does need a good guttering system, then it is absolutely a worthwhile investment. Think of your gutters as an insurance for your home against future roofing issues that might happen because too much moisture has accumulated over time. Unless you have had a professional roofer inspect your property and tell you with certainty that you don’t need gutters, then gutters are a good idea and a necessity.
Getting Your Gutters Installed
Now that we’ve established what an important role gutters play in protecting your home, the next step is to get them installed. If you haven’t already got gutters or you are simply looking to replace your existing ones, you’ll find two options for you to choose from. You could either have your gutters installed professionally or go with the do-it-yourself (DIY) version.
DIY rain gutters can be purchased from your nearby home improvement store. They come in several choices like aluminum, vinyl, and sheet metal. Of course, given how important these gutters are after all, having them professionally installed is still the better way to go.
Gutter channels are generally either four, five, or six inches in diameter. For DIY systems, vinyl gutters are a popular option because of how easily accessible they are. Most local home improvement stores would carry the vinyl gutter system. Aluminum gutters are another popular choice among those who like to have a specific colour for their gutters. More options to consider for your gutters would be galvanized sheet metal. This option is substantially more durable compared to aluminum. It is also not uncommon to find older houses with wood gutter systems in place.
Looking After Your Gutters
Looking after your gutters is just as important as having them installed. Gutters need to be well looked after if they are to do their job well. Regularly checking on your gutters to make sure they are clear of any leaves or debris is one way of looking after your gutters, and this is a step that should be done twice a year. You’d be surprised at how clogged up your gutters can get, what with all the rain and wind they experience.
Clean your gutters regularly with a leaf blower or a hose. If you’re using the former step, don’t forget to put on your safety goggles when you do. Invest in a good gutter cleaning kit and the cleaning process will be much quicker, especially with a kit that you could easily attach to your leaf blower.
Look after your home well and your home will look after you.
