When it comes to homes and roofs, gutters don’t get a lot of attention or discussion. A lot of new homeowners don’t see the need to install a rain gutter system. They feel as though it is an additional expense they can kick down the road or maybe never install at all. Yet, this initial savings will cost you in the long run. Rain gutters tend to be invisible work horses for your home. Their job is to redirect water away from the base of a structure and place it somewhere where it won’t do any damage. This keeps the excess water away from your home’s exterior walls, soil, and foundation. Gutters are necessary in order to prevent the expensive damage rainwater can do to the groundwork of your home.
Not every home needs a gutter system. If you live in dry climates that don’t experience much heavy rain then it may not be necessary. However, the wetter the climate, the more you need a properly installed rain gutter system. In the Hayden and Coeurd’ Alene area rain gutters are extremely necessary. Without them, the collected stormwater that lands on your roof will pool at the foundation of your home. This will eventually lead to cracking, leaks, and an uneven floor.
Let’s discuss other ways a rain gutter system can be beneficial:
Rain Gutters Prevent Basement Flooding
Without gutters, water can run off your roof and saturate the soil near your foundation. This soil, once saturated with water becomes very heavy. This weight puts tremendous pressure against your foundation. The foundation will eventually give in which pushes the basement wall inwards and it will begin to crack. These tiny cracks will allow water to begin to come in. Even if the amount of water coming in isn’t substantial enough to cause flooding, it can still cause mold growth which is a hazard to your family’s health.
Rain Gutters Protect Your Home’s Siding
Rainwater tends to carry debris that when it comes in contact with the siding of your home can scratch or stain it. Without a gutter system to divert the dirty water away from your home, it will ruin the esthetics of your house and the siding will have to be power washed or replaced much earlier than if you had a gutter system to prevent the water from coming in contact with it.
Rain Gutters Prevent Erosion
Most homes are built with the foundation sloping away from the home. This is done to protect the foundation from rainwater. If the rainwater is not carried away by a gutter system and is allowed to pool at the base of your home it will create massive erosion. This erosion wears down the slope that was meant to protect your home from water. Once this wears down, it is much more likely you will have foundation issues.
If you are looking for a gutter for your home please contact the Kodiak Gutter team. We are centrally located in the Spokane and Coeur d’ Alene areas. We will be more than happy to assist you and decide which gutter system is best for you!