Are gutters necessary? Whether you’re building a new home or in the market to replace your existing system, it pays to know the purpose of gutters. Gutters help protect your biggest investment – your home – and improper installation can lead to major damage and costly repairs. In this article, SPOUT Gutter Pros discusses the benefits of a gutter system.

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How Gutters Work

Before we jump into the advantages of gutters, let’s take a look at exactly what they are and how they work on your home.

Function and Construction

Made up of long, hollow sections of material – composition can range from vinyl to steel to copper – a gutter system is attached to a roof’s edge. The main purpose of this system is to catch rainwater and direct it away from the residence.

As for the main components, a gutter system is made up of the following:

  1. Downspout: This is the enclosed, vertical section that comes down from the actual gutters. This allows for water to be diverted away from your home.
  2. Elbow: See a bent piece connected to either the top or bottom of the downspout? At the bottom, it channels water away. At the top, it connects a gutter section to the downspout.
  3. Endcap: Found at the end of gutter runs, this component keeps water (and debris) from exiting the gutters. It’s typically a flat piece of metal.
  4. Ferrule: This part keeps the gutter from collapsing as a spike (also known as a nail or screw) is hammered during installation. It’s placed inside the gutter channel.
  5. Hidden hanger: This component attaches the gutter to the fascia board, typically at the open-mouth points. As its name implies, this hanger is hidden by design.
  6. Gutter section: Usually 5 or 6 inches wide, a section is the horizontal piece that catches rainwater. It can be made out of different materials, including vinyl and metal.
  7. Miter: Gutter sections can’t turn a corner. That’s where the miter comes into play. This part connects two gutter sections at their meeting point.
  8. Pipe cleat: As a sort of clip, a pipe cleat attaches to the downspout. This helps secure it to the side of the house. It’s typically screwed in for a reliable fit.

Types of Gutters

There are basically two main types of gutters: sectional and seamless.

A sectional gutter system is, as the name implies, made up of sections. It has several benefits: cheaper, easier to install, and doesn’t require custom tooling. As far as downsides, there are a lot of components. And if improperly installed, the system won’t work efficiently. Also, this type of system can have a greater likelihood of leaks down the road.

A seamless gutter system, though more expensive, provides a clean and highly durable solution. Each section is made up of a solid run of gutter material. This typically is formed on-site during installation. This provides both a custom fit for your home as well as a more reliable system that is much less likely to fail.

Inspection and Maintenance

It would be nice if you could just have gutters installed and leave them be. But they do require routine inspection and maintenance for proper functionality and good looks.

Depending on the material and type of gutter (more on that later), you’ll need to keep an eye on wear. Galvanized gutters, for instance, are covered in a protective zinc coating. It can come off and lead to rust, so it’s important to inspect it periodically and deal with any issues quickly.

In general, maintenance usually involves cleaning the gutters. Sections can accumulate quite a bit of debris – leaves, branches, and so on – and after a while, this can affect flow. Setting up a routine for removing blockage will help to ensure proper water management.

When correctly maintained, a gutter system can last for many years (if not decades). But when neglected, gutters can become ineffective. This can lead to all kinds of issues, from expensive repairs to foundational damage.

Benefits of Gutters

Some folks might ask, are gutters truly needed or just a decorative measure? Though some systems can add quite an aesthetic appeal – from the crisp look of painted steel to the eye-catching charm of crafted copper – gutters do indeed have an important function.

Below, we’ll take a look at the main benefits of a gutter system.

Protecting the Foundation

Without gutters, that rain has to go somewhere. One of the places you definitely don’t want it to go is towards your foundation. Water penetration can wreak havoc on your home. Also, if you have a basement, gutters help to keep rain from flooding it.

Prevent Staining and Paint Damage

Whether you have wood shingles or new exterior paint, a gutter system helps to safeguard this protective layer of your home. It also helps maintain curb appeal. Without gutters redirecting water, you’d have to deal with frequent reapplication of paint or paint.

Stop Mildew and Mold

Mold is serious business. That’s why it’s so crucial to divert rainwater away from the walls of your residence. When water finds its way into framing and drywall, it can turn into a costly nightmare to fix along with health problems.

Preserve Driveway and Walkways

Concrete and water don’t play well together. Once it finds its way in, water can cause driveways, walkways, and patios to crack and crumble. Gutters don’t offer complete protection, but they do go a long way in preventing expensive repairs. Plus, it keeps the rain off people coming and going from your home.

Limit Erosion

Property erosion is one of the last things you want to deal with on your property. We’ve gotten so accustomed to the quiet work of gutters, so much so that we don’t realize how vital they are when it comes to fighting erosion. Otherwise, you’d be looking at some major property damage. In that sense, gutters are silent heroes. 

Safeguard Landscaping

Along with stopping erosion, gutters help to shield your flowers, plants, trees, and other landscaping elements. Through the proper channeling of rainwater, you can avoid having your yard washed away. A gutter system protects your beautiful surroundings.

Knowledge is power, and understanding how gutters can work for you is super handy. At the end of the day, a gutter system helps to safeguard your home. And with proper installation, inspection, and maintenance, gutters can go a long way in protecting your investment.

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