Importance of Gutters and Downspouts

If you live in an area that gets a good amount of rain, you’ll likely experience the occasional water damage to your home, especially along the ground floor or basement.  A good way to prevent this is to install gutters and downspouts, the sole purpose of which is to transport water away from the foundation of the house.

However, in order for them to properly do their job, they must be regularly cleaned. The effects of poorly functioning gutters and downspouts, along with improper maintenance, include:

• backed up water and ice against fascia boards and roof shingles
• damaged soffits
• deterioration and discoloration of siding materials
• foundation/water penetration issues
• soil erosion and settlement issues

Installing gutters and downspouts is neither difficult nor costly, and maintaining them is just as easy and inexpensive. Without them, rainwater can cause damage to the base of the house due to flooding, deteriorate exterior doors and door frames, particularly anything wooden, and pour from rooftops like waterfalls, making it challenging to enter and exit your home.