For both residential and commercial properties, the advantages of seamless gutters are numerous. Gutters protect your roof from water buildup and keep your exterior walls protected from saturation. Gutters also help keep water out of your basement and prevent the saturation of sensitive soil. The functions of your gutter system can even contribute to the beauty of your home.
- Protect your roof. Gutters protect your roof from water buildup. Though a roof is designed to protect your interior from the elements, the roof itself is not supposed to hold standing water indefinitely. If water swells along the edges of your roof or lingers in spots along the eaves, the water could fertilize the growth of moss along the shingles and even work its way under the flashing and through the ceiling of your attic. Gutters guide water off your rooftop in a clean and orderly manner.
- Protect your siding. Gutters also protect the siding along the exterior walls of your house. Without the drainage function a gutter system provides, the siding could ultimately get exposed to unrestrained water from your roof. If siding becomes saturated, it could rot and leave the underlying wall panels exposed, causing mold to form along the walls and subject your home to pathogens and aggressive termites. Compromised wall boards are also more likely to get pecked by aggressive birds, such as woodpeckers. Therefore, gutters protect your home from siding damage, wall rot, mold, termites and wildlife.
- Protect your basement. Gutters keep your basement safe from concentrations of water that could otherwise make its way inside. While the two might not seem connected, the sides of your home would collect puddles in times of heavy downpour if not for the structure of your gutters, which filter rainwater away from the exterior walls. Without this function, water would gather directly along the walls and make its way through the vents and perhaps the windowsills to your basement. If your basement gets flooded, the water could damage valuable belongings and put your electrical system at risk. Floodwater could also lead to mold growth and expose your home to pathogens that could be difficult to eradicate. Gutters protect your home from floodwater, interior damage, mold and loss of property.
- Protect your soil. Gutters control the flow and drainage of rainwater away from your house. In doing so, gutters protect the soil around your home from becoming supersaturated with water from the edge of your roof. Without this protection, the soil could become unsettled and leave the foundations of your house at risk. That could be especially dangerous if your home is on a hill or near a body of water. Gutters, in effect, help prevent your house from succumbing to mudslides.
- Preserve the appearance of your house. By keeping your roof drained and your walls protected from too much water, gutters preserve the beauty of your home’s facade. Gutters prevent the buildup of water on your roof, thereby reducing the spread of moss and extending the life of the shingles. Gutters also protect the integrity of your exterior walls, windowsills, decks, doors and surrounding plants, all of which can help you save on home-maintenance costs in the long run. Moreover, these benefits can render your home more attractive in the eyes of potential buyers if you ever choose to place your property on the market.