Gutters are vital to the overall condition of your roof and home. They’re not there just for decoration and appeal; they work in tandem with your roof in securing your home’s structural integrity. Roofs physically uphold a major part of a house’s structural integrity, and a gutter works by preventing water from spilling over and entering places that are sensitive to moisture. What more do gutters do? What else should you remember? Gutter installation and roof repair expert Vista Roofing Inc. is here to remind you of what to remember!
Regardless of your roof type, the main purpose of gutter systems doesn’t change: protect your home’s foundation. It directs flowing rainwater away from your home’s foundation and safely into your drainage system.
Gutters are horizontal structures made of metal (usually aluminum) that are installed along the dormers or eave edges of your roof, where they catch and pool the rainwater that rolls off your roof and directs it safely downward through pipe-like structures called downspouts. The downspouts then direct the rainwater into your drainage system, safely away from your yard and your home’s foundation.
You might think that you don’t need gutters since water flows off your roof regardless. The truth is, if you don’t have a proper gutter system installed, water could flow down to the sides of your house (especially for the surfaces of diagonally inclined shingle roofs) and onto the areas near your home’s foundations, which are sensitive to moisture buildup. And with those areas completely saturated, that moisture will creep and spread out, eventually reaching your foundations. The moisture will cause the materials to degrade over time and will compromise your home’s structural integrity.
As you start planning for your home’s gutter installation, don’t forget to inquire and know more about the following matters:
Inquire about the gutters themselves, and ask if the gutters are ‘seamless.’ Seamless gutters are gutters that are installed continuously, from corner to corner. Having gutters that have breaks in the middle tend to deteriorate over time, and can even split apart once it degrades to a certain point. Additionally, gutters ideally only have seams in the corners.
Inquire about the material of the gutters. Galvanized sheets are an outdated gutter material (due to their susceptibility to corrosion and decay), but they are malleable and easy for a sheet metal worker to install and alter. Aluminum is the new standard for gutters, as it is strong, durable and more resistant to corrosion than galvanized iron sheets.
Don’t forget to ask about the fastening material they’ll use. Nails and spikes are the older materials used to fasten gutters on fascia boards and rafters, but they tend to detach over time due to wear and tear, along with the strain produced by heavy amounts of water flowing in the gutter system. Screws are much more reliable, as they don’t detach over time (even if they rust over, they will hold) and don’t corrode so easily.
Need a quick roof inspection? Vista Roofing Inc. has got you covered! We provide a wide selection of services and products, including flat roofs, for your home and business improvement needs. We top it all off with high-quality customer care and assistance. For any inquiries, you can reach us at (803) 391-4604 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve clients in the state of South Carolina.
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