Gutters are a critical part of your home’s drainage system. They collect rainwater and direct it away from the foundation of your house, protecting it from water damage. Gutters also keep roofing materials from being damaged by water that might accumulate over time. Here’s why you should invest in good gutters and ensure they are functioning properly before winter officially hits:
Gutters protect your roof from rot
The first step in understanding how gutters protect your roof is to understand the materials used in roofing. Roofs are made of organic materials, which means they are susceptible to rotting. Given that a roof is exposed to all kinds of weather and elements, it can become wet.
Roofs rot when they get wet, so it’s important that water doesn’t stay on the surface for too long. If it does, you could end up with an expensive repair bill––or even a full replacement! Gutters prevent water from getting onto your roof by diverting rainwater away from its path downspouts, so it doesn’t have a chance to seep into your home.
Gutters protect your home’s foundation
You may be wondering how gutters protect your home’s foundation. The answer is simple: gutters direct water away from the foundation, protecting it from damage. When rainwater hits your roof, it runs off and flows into the gutter system. Gutters carry the water out to a downspout that ends in a catch basin or drainage pipe. If you don’t have gutters installed on your home, this water will drip over the side of your home and seep into its foundation over time—leaving stains and causing damage to the structure of your house.
Gutters prevent ice dams in the winter
Ice dams are a big problem in the winter. As snow melts and drains off your roof, it can form ice dams that stick out from the edge of your roof. Ice dams are caused when warm air melts snow on the roof and drains into gutters. The water then begins to freeze, building up until it melts into your basement or house, which can result in roof leaks and plumbing problems. It’s important to have gutters installed so that water gets collected before ice dams form on them.
Gutters protect your siding and brickwork
Gutters are a critical element of the exterior of your home, as they protect your siding and brickwork from water damage. Water that pools on windowsills and around doors can cause serious issues like mold growth, rot in wood siding, and rusting of steel or aluminum frames. Gutters divert this water away from the house, so it can flow freely into a downspout or gutter extension that leads to the street.
You can also choose gutters made with high-quality colors that match your home’s paint scheme to give it an extra touch of style while keeping moisture at bay. And if you have a unique architectural style? No problem—there are plenty of options available for customization.
Gutters protect your landscaping
Gutters are also a good way to protect your landscaping. If you have gutters, they will keep water from pooling on the ground around your house. When there is too much water sitting on top of the soil, it can erode the soil and damage landscaping. Gutters create a path for water to flow off the roof and into a drain or downspout, so there isn’t as much standing water in the yard.
It sure whether your gutters are in good shape, it’s time to get them checked. You don’t want to risk letting water damage your home or surrounding property. Contact us today at Herbert Roofing for a free roof inspection.
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