The average residential homeowner and commercial business owner is familiar with gutters. Generally, most people accept that gutters provide “some” value to a home or place of business. However, many individuals may resist installing gutters because they don’t understand how much importance gutters serve.
Are gutters really that necessary? Will they accomplish what they are intended to do? Exactly why are gutters so important? We answer these questions and provide a foundational basis for understanding the value of gutters to homeowners and commercial building property managers.
Why Are Gutters Important? Understanding The Benefits
Gutters serve one overarching purpose: to efficiently and effectively divert water away from your roof and home or building. If gutters cannot accomplish this crucial responsibility, they serve no value. Annually, water damage is a leading cause of home insurance claims. The same holds true for commercial insurance claims.
When moisture finds a way to penetrate the structure (more often than not through the roofline), the cost to repair, remediate, restore, or replace the damaged interior spaces can cause catastrophic loss to the homeowner or business. The average insurance payout for home-based water damage exceeds $12,000.
Properly functioning gutters safely and effectively channel water from your roof to an exterior location where water cannot damage your building structure. They also prevent water from pooling and avoid erosion around your foundation and landscaping. As a result, issues like mold and mildew formation never arise.
The Adverse Consequences Of Damaged Gutters (Or Not Having Gutters)
Problems averted make gutters necessary for almost any homeowner or commercial property manager. However, you take unnecessary chances if you own gutters but fail to repair issues with them promptly. Broken gutters serve no purpose. Additionally, you risk many “easily avoidable” problems if you don’t even own gutters.
Optimally functioning gutters and downspouts remove (almost) all water from the roofline to an exterior location away from the home or building. However, any break in the gutter line exposes the structure to water permeation. Unfortunately, not addressing this issue can create flooding issues. If water floods your interior space, expect to suffer catastrophic loss.
Water collects. Eventually, it soaks into dank areas lacking air circulation. This process creates the perfect mold, mildew, and algae breeding ground. If you own a home or business, the last thing you want to hear is that you have mold. Remediating mold damage often requires an extended period of time and a considerable outlay of financial resources.
When gutters no longer perform sufficiently, your roof becomes a ticking timebomb. Water causes damage to shingles, underlayment, fascia boards, soffits, and any other aspect of the roofing system exposed to moisture. Gutters channel water away from the roof before it can create issues. Not addressing damaged gutters creates unintended consequences.
Without properly functioning gutters, you leave your building susceptible to compromise. When water penetrates interior spaces, it tends to collect (pool). Over time, it will cause deterioration of structural components, including wood joists, rafters, and trusses. In effect, the wood begins to rot. Additionally, insulation may become moist and less effective.
6 Advantages Of Hiring A Professional To Install Gutters
When you involve a reputable professional, you receive instant access to a wellspring of knowledge and information. In effect, you have access to wisdom to guide you through the process of selecting the right gutter system for your home or business.
Many gutter manufacturers willingly offer material warranty coverage in case of a product defect. Additionally, a number of professional installers extend workmanship warranty coverage to complement their labor and provide safeguards for customers.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) gutter installers and handymen cannot easily access safety equipment or tools to ensure the installation avoids common hazards. A qualified professional has safety training and utilizes the right equipment and tools to perform the job safely.
When you’ve done a chore hundreds of times, you know what you’re doing. If you’re trying a difficult task for the first time, you’re taking chances – unnecessary risks. Why go that route? A trained professional knows exactly how to design and construct gutters.
Gutters are not one size fits all. In fact, they need to be customized to fit your building’s unique profile and your property’s specific layout. A reputable professional understands the best gutter system to meet your needs optimally – not just “good enough.”
Homeowners and businesses may think the do-it-yourself (DIY) or handyman approach works fine for gutter installation to “save a few bucks.” Wrong! Today’s knowledgeable gutter installation professionals work efficiently and effectively to ensure affordability. (All estimates above are based on attaching standard gutters to a one-story home with the aforestated square footage.)
Professional gutter installation provides an affordable solution to water runoff challenges. Don’t chance it with no gutters. Don’t risk severe issues with damaged gutters. Don’t avoid the truth regarding the value of an outstanding gutter system. They quickly pay for themselves and protect your building from adverse situations.
What Types Of Gutters Does Gouge Quality Roofing Offer?
Unlike many competitors, we do NOT join gutters with sealant at Gouge Quality Roofing—quite the contrary. We design a smooth, single (unbroken, unsegmented) unit to prevent debris buildup and clogging. No split seams. No rusting. Just built to last. Because we secure the gutters to the fascia with hidden, stainless-steel fastener hangers and offer optional leaf guards, the gutters remain secure and debris-free for added longevity.
If you own a home or business in Central Ohio, trust Gouge Quality Roofing to provide exceptional gutters and roofing solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services, receive a free estimate, or schedule an appointment.
