Did you just buy a Dallas home that doesn’t have gutters? Perhaps your existing gutters are on the verge of falling apart? Then you’ve probably asked yourself whether hiring someone to install new gutters is really necessary. After all, how important can those little troughs really be? Is it really that bad if you let rainwater drain directly off your roof onto the ground?
While there’s no building code that requires gutters on a residential property, it’s no coincidence that most homes have them. Gutters aren’t just a decorative element or an installation reserved for paranoid homeowners; they actually serve a very important purpose and are designed to protect your home.
If you’re on the fence about hiring a contractor to install gutters on your home, read on to learn why gutters are important and whether or not you need them.
What’s the Purpose of Having Gutters?
Gutters serve one primary function: diverting water that drains off your home’s roof. As water travels down the roof, it collects inside the gutters and flows into the downspouts and away from your home. Why’s that important? Because water can seriously damage multiple components of your property when it’s allowed to accumulate near your home.
4 Ways Gutters Protect Your Home
Without gutters, runoff falls directly off the eaves of your roof and lands just inches away from your house. That water can displace soil, deteriorate your siding, and even damage the structural components of your home. Professionally installed gutters help protect your home in the following ways:
- Prevent Water From Accumulating Near the Foundation. When water falls directly off your roof, it accumulates near the foundation of your home. Over time, water can actually penetrate the foundation through tiny holes and cracks and cause it to deteriorate further. Heavy rains can even result in water intrusion inside your basement or crawlspace if an excessive amount of roof runoff lands near your home and soaks into the ground around your house.
- Prevent Soil Erosion and Landscaping Damage. When you allow water to fall directly off your roof, it hammers the ground around your house, and eventually, it begins to displace the soil. During heavy rains, water can accumulate very quickly, and it may even wash into your yard and damage your landscaping. Properly placed downspouts direct roof runoff at least four feet away from the side of your house so that water disperses in a location where it can’t displace soil or damage delicate foliage.
- Prevent Siding Deterioration and Staining. When roof runoff falls near the side of your home and displaces organic material, it can make your siding look dirty and sloppy. Over time, organic material and excessive moisture can even begin to deteriorate your siding, especially if you have wood cladding. Gutters prevent water from splashing around your house, thereby preventing organic materials and moisture from accumulating on your siding and causing damage.
- Deter Water-Loving Pests. When you let water pool around your house, you’re basically extending an invitation for water-loving insects to hang out. Termites and carpenter ants can do some serious damage to your home, and mosquitos and other pests are downright obnoxious. If you’re not keen on dealing with pests, gutters are an excellent way to eliminate standing water around your house that can attract annoying critters.
When Are Gutters Necessary?
Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to have gutters on your house. But that’s especially true if any of the following situations apply to you:
- The land around your home slopes upwards. When your house is at the bottom of a slope, water is more likely to accumulate around the foundation of your home.
- The soil around your home is rich in red clay. Soil that’s rich in clay tends to direct water to the same location over and over again. Installing gutters will ensure that water diverts to a nonthreatening location rather than near your home.
- Your roof has minimal or no overhang. If the eaves of your roof are very short or nonexistent, you absolutely need gutters. Without them, water will accumulate around the foundation of your home and cause damage over time.
If you’re not sure whether your house really needs gutters, don’t hesitate to call a roofing contractor and ask. A pro can assess the construction of your roof and determine whether your home may be prone to water damage without gutters.
Need Gutter Installation on Your Dallas Home?
If you’re in the market for new gutters, get in touch with our team at Bert Roofing! We specialize in a wide variety of roofing services and serve homeowners throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area. To learn more about our services or get your project off the ground, contact us online or give us a call today at (214) 321-9341.