Think about every home you’ve ever lived in – did they all have gutters? Odds are you answered yes. From open-top or half-round gutters to k-style gutters and everything in between, most homes have gutter systems installed.
Gutter systems were invented back in 47 AD to collect and drain excess water from structures. We’ve been installing them on homes for centuries, but are they necessary? Do all homes need gutters? Continue reading to learn more.
Dangers of Not Having a Gutter System
Before we discuss if all homes need gutters, let’s first explain the dangers of not having a gutter system. If a home doesn’t have a gutter system, imagine what would happen to all the water on the roof. Any form of precipitation that lands on a roof would flow from the roof and trickle down the soffit and fascia boards, the home’s siding, and collect around the home’s foundation, porch, and nearby garden beds. Everything would be saturated and standing water would be left to sit, forming a trench over time. Below are just a few examples of damages that can occur as a result of not having a proper gutter system installed.
The Roof Would Deteriorate
As previously mentioned, rain and meltwater on a roof would have nowhere to drain to, thus, it would be forced to trickle over the side of the home or stay on the roof. Though roofs were designed to be exposed to the elements and have an average lifespan of around 15 years give or take, they shouldn’t be allowed to hold standing water. Water that’s left to collect on a roof can lead to all sorts of roofing issues like roof algae and mildew, warped shingles, and lost shingle sediment, and the entire roof will deteriorate over time.
If you’ve ever had a roof replaced then you know how expensive it is. A roof is an investment that homeowners make to protect their home and keep it dry. The last thing you want is to have to replace it before it should be which is why it’s important to have a quality gutter system installed to prolong the lifespan of the roof.
The Basement Can Flood
Basements often flood as a result of excess water that’s left to collect around the foundation, cracks in the foundation, or clogged gutters. A flooded basement can be a nightmare for homeowners to deal with, especially if the excess moisture causes mold or mildew to form or if it ruins keepsakes stored in the basement. Whatever the case, basement flooding is no fun to deal with.
If a home didn’t have a gutter system, water from the roof would be forced to collect around the home’s foundation rather than being directed away in a downspout. Excess water around the foundation would result in a trench over time, allowing the standing water to get rather high and not drain away, seeping through the walls of the foundation and ultimately making its way into the basement.
The Foundation Would Be Damaged
Foundation damage is rather complex and can vary depending on the foundation materials. In general, foundation damage is damage that occurs to a home’s foundation including cracking, leaning or tipping, foundation upheaval, and so on. Most foundations are made of concrete that has soil surrounding the foundation. When a homebuilder builds the home they compact each layer of soil so it can support the home’s slab.
A home without a gutter system wouldn’t be able to protect the home’s foundation, rather, the foundation will be destroyed over time. The foundation is the exterior wall of a basement, so if that’s damaged, it can start a whole slew of issues.
Landscaping Would Be Ruined
You invest a lot of time into your home’s landscaping: you mow your lawn each season except winter, lay down grass seed, plant bushes and flowers, and apply weed killer to keep it looking its best. Maintaining and improving your landscaping takes time and money, and the last thing you want is for it to be ruined as a result of improper drainage. A home that lacks a gutter system will force water over the side of the home, allowing water to flow into garden beds and oversaturating the soil, ruining your lawn.
So, Do All Homes Need Gutters?
Knowing the damage that can occur from not having a gutter system installed, do you think every home needs one? Absolutely! We experience all four seasons here in Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, and surrounding cities, and homeowners need a quality gutter system that can protect their homes from drainage issues while withstanding all types of weather conditions in the Heartland.
The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System is the best on the market at protecting homes from drainage issues. The K-Guard System is seamless and keeps all debris out while flushing water through at a rapid pace – up to 22 inches of rain per hour! No matter the season, K-Guard will protect your home against heavy rainfall and meltwater caused by snow or ice.
Contact our team today or call (913) 380-1616 to schedule your free estimate for installing the K-Guard System. We’ll examine your current gutter system and will offer an assessment as well as our recommendations for installing the K-Guard System in your home. We offer our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations:
