What is the function of gutters?
Water management is the responsibility of gutters. During a storm, gutters on your home protect it from rainwater. Downspouts help direct water from your roof to appropriate areas outside. The weight of leaves and other debris on your roof can cause water to overflow if you don't have a gutter system. When your gutters are damaged, obstructed or removed, water will go somewhere when this happens, and water can wreak havoc on anything in your home given enough time. Gutter Function Rain gutters on a house are designed to keep rainwater away from it. The function of gutters is to divert water away from the foundation of your home. The water you remove, damage or obstruct from your gutters must go somewhere, and, given the chance, it can destroy almost everything in your home. Origin of the Name Gutter The word gutter derives from Latin gutta (noun), meaning "a droplet". Guttering in its earliest form consisted of lined wooden or stone troughs. Lead was a popular liner and is still used in pitched valley gutters. If There Are No Gutters If you have no gutters on your roof, rainwater drains off, causing massive erosion, washing soil away at every rain. This causes your carefully sloped landscape to wear down, allowing runoff to flow toward your home instead of away from it. Erosion also causes the foundation to settle. Gutters are installed on the roof to direct the flow of rainwater in one direction. If you don't have gutters on your house, you run the risk of water damage to your foundation. As runoff builds up around your home over time, you may see water seeping into the foundation. Gutter Life ExpectancyA 20-year warranty is offered on aluminum gutters. Due to their reduced wear and tear, aluminum downspouts may last up to 30 years. Gutter systems made of copper are often found on older homes. How Far Should Gutters Extend?You should extend gutter downspouts at least four feet from your house; however, depending on your soil, slope, and local building code, they may need to go much further. Roof gutters are not necessary if the overhang of your roof exceeds 10 inches. In that case, gutters must be installed. Gutters are one of the most effective ways to protect the walls of your house from rain damage. A long overhang will provide you with protection for the walls. Gutters Pros & Cons
DIY Gutter Installation Gutters are most often installed by professionals, but there's no reason you can't do it yourself. All the materials and accessories are readily available at home centers, lumberyards, and roofing-supply firms. How Often Gutters to Clean Gutters You should make a point of cleaning your gutters twice a year, as a general rule. It may be necessary to clean every three months depending on what type of foliage you have near your home (for example, pine trees). Gutter Substitutes
Gutters Cost The cost of gutters can be influenced by the material you choose. ... Seamless aluminum gutters (costing around $10/linear foot) are the cheapest and best performing option, while copper gutters are the most expensive (at $25+ per foot), and vinyl gutters are easiest to install for DIY homeowners.
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