It surprises us to see home’s that have gutters that are in bad shape or a home that quite unbelievably has no gutters at all. People will spend a lot of money on their roof, it seems, but for some reason don’t feel gutters are as important. Trust us when we say that is not the case at all. When it comes to shedding water off your house properly, gutters and downspouts are just as important as your roof!
Why do we feel properly working gutters and downspouts are as important as a properly working roof? It’s because both deal with water and helping it go where it can’t do any damage. Your roof sheds the water to your gutters and then your gutter and downspout system take it away from your house. Water can do damage in many ways besides just when it leaks through your roof.
How Do Your Gutters And Downspouts Help Prevent Water Damage?
If your gutters and downspouts are not working right, water will fall straight down off your roof and puddle on the ground near the edge of your house. This water can then start to seep into your basement or start to weaken your foundation. Properly working gutters will route the water further away from the base of your house. It’s even better if you have yard drains located at the bottom of your downspouts.
You also need to keep your gutters and downspouts clean and free of debris. When debris fills up your gutters it causes the water that runs off your roof to dam up inside them. When this happens it can cause water to actually seep under your shingles or other roofing material. Once this happens there is great potential for that water to start damaging the underlayment, soffit, fascia and other integral parts of your roof’s structure. If you are concerned about getting up on a ladder and cleaning your gutters out yourself, there are many service companies that will do this for a reasonable fee.
Call a Pro if You Don’t Think Your Gutters & Downspouts are Working Properly
If your home’s gutters and downspouts are in a state of disrepair, then call your local gutter and downspout company. Gutter and downspout experts like Evergreen Roofing & Renovations of Beaverton, Oregon are always there to answer any questions you may have about your gutters or they can arrange to professionally install new gutters and downspouts for you. Most roofing contractors will even come to your home and give you a free inspection followed up with a written estimate.
The bottom line is please don’t overlook the importance of having properly working gutters and downspouts on your home. If they can be repaired, get it done as soon as possible, and if they are not in good enough condition, get them replaced. It’s more affordable than you think, and new gutters will make your home look better, too.
