Are Rain Gutters Really Necessary?

December 21, 2020

Even in warm cities, rain gutters have become a common part of businesses and homes. They save people a lot of headaches while protecting buildings from the worst parts of a rainstorm. There are, however, still places when rain gutters are deemed as a luxury, especially when a professional rain gutter installation service is objectively the best option over a DIY approach.

Do I Need Rain Gutters?

Rain gutters are always useful. Homes surrounded by warm weather might not suffer as much with the occasional rainstorm but that doesn't change the gradual damage that rainwater leaves on their foundations. If you live in a warm area, it might take longer for your home to get leaks and corrosion, but what little water lands will still run off your roof and pool around your foundations. With nothing to channel the surge of water away from your home, there will be no way to avoid floor, roof, and siding problems down the line.

So, what is a rain guttering system meant to do for your home? Basically, your rain gutters will carry all the water landing on the roof to a safe area. This will keep the structure safe and slow down the corrosion of your foundations. In simple terms, your rain gutters are meant to do the following:

• Protect your home's foundations: This is a rain gutter's main purpose, and all its other advantages will indirectly work toward the same thing. A rain guttering system will redirect all the water from the roofs, preventing spillage, leaks and clogs that would ultimately damp your walls/floors and weaken its structure down to its footing.


• Keep the water from pooling around your house: You will not only protect your house, but also clear out its surroundings, including the garden, backyard, and sidewalk. The downspouts attached to the gutters will direct the water down a drain, and this will prevent the formation of ditches and bumps that could otherwise make your soil uneven.


• Prevent the erosion of the soil: If you have a garden, the water pooled on the soil (either from rain of melted snow) will drown all the plants and destroy your garden bed. More importantly, soil erosion will contribute to the corrosion of your foundations and increase the chances of flooding your floors.


• Keep runoff from your roof overhang: If your roof has a steep slope and no gutters to catch the water sliding down, you might be left with a water barrier around your home. This could also be troublesome for your neighbors and potential bystanders.


• Protect your walls: By keeping the water from the house, you avoid stains on your sidings and the dampness that would ultimately rot your walls.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and some specific cases where a home might protect itself from rainwater without rain gutters entering the mix. Rain gutters might not be necessary if:

• You live in a truly arid climate with little to no rain.
• You don't have a garden and your house is surrounded by concrete on all sides.
• Your roof is both steep and long enough for the water to fall far from your foundations.
• Your roof already has leaks. In this case, proper renovations should precede any decision concerning rain gutters.

Rain Gutters and Maintenance

Some people give up on the chance of installing rain gutters because of the work entailed in keeping them clean and unclogged. This is a valid concern: if you don't have the time to clean your gutters regularly or the budget to hire a professional maintenance service, you'll be back where you started sooner than you think.

When you let leaves and debris collect on your roof, they block the passage of water and weight down the entire guttering system to the point of rupture. Moreover, they can freeze the gutters during the winter and prompt the appearance of ice dams at the roof's edge.

Rain gutters and downspouts should be cleaned at least twice a year, but it all depends on the vegetation surrounding your house and the intensity of the rain (harsh rainstorms can easily drive more debris, tree leaves, and dirt than what you'd get on average). The process can be done with a leaf blower or with a gutter scoop. If you're not confident about climbing a ladder around the side of your house to conduct the maintenance yourself and don't have anyone to help you through the process, a cleaning service might be the safest choice to preserve your peace of mind.

The process usually begins at the drain outlet to then move your way up and around the rain guttering system. A professional cleaning service will also take care of the debris gathered on your roof to prevent future obstructions once the rainy season starts anew.

If you're not familiar with the process of building and installing a rain gutter, it's normal to have reservations about getting a guttering system on your home. Still, there are few cases where rain gutters can be seen as a useless investment. When they're properly manufactured and mounted, rain gutters are a line of defense against the prolonged results that rainstorms leave in their wake. Contact Rain Gutters Solution to learn more about our services. Call (305) 270-7779 or fill out the contact form on this website to schedule an appointment and we'll be happy to bring our services into your home.

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