If you are like many homeowners, you don’t spend much time thinking about your rain gutters and may have even wondered if they are a necessary part of your home. The function of rain gutters along your roof is to catch rainwater, which is then channeled through downspouts and carried away from your home. Gutters are generally not required by law, and many modern homes do not to have them installed, but there are a few circumstances that call for gutter installation.
- Clay Soil. Clay soil absorbs a lot of water and expands in volume as it becomes more saturated. Without amendments to the soil or some other intervention, this type of soil will eventually cause damage to your home’s foundation. Gutter installation will catch the water before it hits the ground and direct it a safe distance from your home.
- Upward Sloped Landscaping. If your home was built at the bottom of a slope, water will pool along the foundation and can lead to foundation damage. By installing gutters on at least that side of the home, the water will be collected and carried away. Installation of a small gutter along the ground will help with the runoff from landscaping.
- Roof with No Overhang. This style of roof allows water to pour from the roof to within a foot of the foundation and will cause trenches to form with regular rainfall. This rainwater will stay close to the foundation once absorbed by the ground, leading to damage to the foundation over time.
If you think your home has a need for gutter installation and you are ready to discuss your options, please give us a call at Foster’s Home Repair/Seamless Gutters, LLC today!