What do rain gutters do?

Rain gutters are more important than you think. Although they can add a beautiful decorative element to your home, their main purpose is to prevent mold and other water damage. Gutters keep your home in place by keeping rainwater away from the lining and foundation. Essentially, gutters collect rainwater from the roof and channel it to the ground through a downspout.

During the rain, water descends from the roof slope to the gutters. As water accumulates, it travels through the gutter system to the drain. The downspouts carry water from the gutters to the base of the house. It is usually diverted to protect the basement and foundation from flooding and other water damage.

There is a splash protection block at the base of the downspout to further divert rainwater from the house. Importance of a gutter system Your gutters are responsible for water management. During a storm, they effectively channel water flow from the roof through the downspouts and direct it to the appropriate areas outside the house. Without a gutter system, the roof can pick up a lot of leaves and other debris, causing water to stagnate and overflow.

This can make your home vulnerable to rot, rust, and other damage. The gutters control the water that reaches the roof and direct it to a single flow that moves away from the house. Without gutters, water runoff may build up around the house, reach the foundation, and cause water damage over time. Gutters cannot effectively ward off water unless they are cleaned frequently, and damaged gutters can cause more damage than not having gutters, since they can cause water to accumulate along the roof.

The purpose of gutters in a house is to protect it from rainwater. Gutters work by diverting water from your home and foundation. When gutters are removed, damaged, or clogged, that water must go somewhere and, if given the opportunity, water can ruin virtually any part of your home. In addition to protecting the roof and the overall structure of your home, rain gutters also prevent soil erosion and protect your garden beds.

With rain gutters, rain will simply flow from the roof, dragging the soil away every time it rains, causing soil erosion. And if you have planters built next to your house, soil erosion will cause the pool of water to drown out your plants and flowers. Rain gutters work by trapping rainwater from the roof and channeling the water to a downspout and into a splash protection block, where water is silently and safely dispersed across the floor. If you decide to install your gutter system professionally, one of your options will be seamless gutters, which prevent any leakage through the joints.

While a single-property owner may be more inclined to clean rain gutters personally, a property manager or landlord who owns multiple properties should consider hiring a professional gutter cleaner. In addition to focusing on what is only in the gutters, be sure to use the leaf blower to push leaves or debris out of the roof, so that not all of them end up in the gutters the next time it rains. It's common for tenants to not have the right equipment, knowledge, or don't have an idea of the same concerns that a landlord might have regarding the maintenance of rain gutters. Understandably, rain gutters are simple in design and operation; they carry water from roof to floor.

The gutters are a thankless job and you'll probably only notice them when there's a downpour. If the basement is heavily flooded and you have rotten coating in your house, this could also be a sign that you don't have gutters and you should or have gutters that are clogged or damaged. Types of gutters Garlock-French Corporation understands how important it is to have a quality gutter system in your home. However, most homes need a good gutter system to collect stormwater that falls on the roof and away from the house to avoid damaging the structure of the house and to protect the foundation, entrance and sidewalk from accumulating water on the sides of the house.

If your gutters are saggy, leaking, or visibly damaged and your downspouts are broken or missing, it's time to think about replacing the gutters. Over time, rain gutters can build up leaves, twigs, and other debris that can get dirty and clog drain nozzles. If ignored, leaves and other debris can block rain gutters and divert water to the roof, the foundation, and can even damage the garden below, resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs. Unless they fall out of the house, rain gutters are at the bottom of the tenant's to-do list.


George Moore
George Moore

Friendly contractor and home improvement specialist. Subtly charming coffee geek. General beeraholic. Certified tv nerd. Unapologetic travel specialist.