Most homes today have a gutter system in place, but that’s not always the case.  Aside from collecting rainwater from your roof and sending it to the ground in a controlled manner, what other purposes does your gutter serve? What are the consequences to a faulty, clogged, or damaged system? Why should they be cleaned regularly?

Gutters have one essential job, to divert water away from your home (ideally 3-5 feet away). Rainwater can wreak havoc on your siding, windows, doors and foundation and without gutters, water would fall from your roof and collect at the base of your home. Several problems can arise such as:

• Soil erosion. This can cause structural problems with your home.
• Water puddling. Water at your foundation can cause flooding and/or mold in crawlspaces and basements.
• Wood rot or deterioration. Repeated exposure to water can lead to wood rot and deterioration of many components to your home.

Gutters should be regularly inspected, particularly when nearby trees start to drop their leaves. Gutters that get clogged from debris can cause other problems for your home.  Water can collect in the gutter and can “roll back” behind the gutter onto the soffit and fascia, under the shingles of your roof and eventually into your home.  This can lead to wood rot and water damage inside.  Aside from that, gutters can become damaged and sag or pull away from the house if overloaded with weight from debris and standing water.  Installing a proper gutter guard can be an effective way at minimizing maintenance and reducing or eliminating clogs.  A licensed gutter contractor should be consulted prior to making any changes to or before installing a new gutter system on your home.