By Lorie Ham
When asked to write this month about the importance of cleaning your rain gutters, I needed to do some extra research. I have never owned a home with them, so I didn’t have any personal experience in the area. I also looked around my neighborhood, and it was about half with them and half without, so I wasn’t alone. My first questions were, what are they and what is their purpose?
According to Garlock French Roofing, rain gutters are long, hollow devices attached to the roof edges. Their primary purpose is to catch rainwater and direct it away from your foundation. The article goes on to state that gutters are responsible for water management, they channel and direct water during a storm to appropriate areas outside your house. Without rain gutters, it is possible for the rain to cause rotting, rusting, and seep into your foundation and slowly damage it. There are also several different types of rain gutters to suit your home’s needs.
So, if they are so important, why do some houses not have rain gutters? According to an article on LeafFilter.com, gutters aren’t required in desert-like climates that get little rainfall. An article in Architectural Digest states another reason why a home might not have gutters—and I think I may have found the answer for my own home—a large overhang. A large roof overhang between 6 to 10 inches may also mean you don’t need gutters—as long as your home meets other criteria such as having downward slopes. However, it looks like most homes do and should have gutters.
Just like any other part of your home, rain gutters require maintenance to keep them working properly, and, according to Home Depot, gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year—in the spring and the fall. If you have pine trees near your home needles will need to be removed every three months to reduce the potential for clogging the gutters and downspouts. If you don’t regularly clean your gutters, and they become clogged, this can lead to leaky roofs and water damage, among other concerns. Clogged gutters are also a paradise for pests, rodents, and mold, which aren’t the type of company you want to be attracted to your home.
You can clean the gutters yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. Home Depot has a great list of information on how to go about cleaning them yourself. First, determine if they need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. If you are cleaning them, remove debris first and then flush the rest out with a garden hose. Be sure to practice ladder safety as well. The article also suggests sealing any leaks, and touching them up with paint if needed.
Architectural Digest also recommends getting gutter guards. These improve your gutter system‘s efficiency, reliability, and longevity by preventing clogged gutters. They also reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning.
I hope you have learned as much here as I have. Next time I am looking for a new home, I will check whether they have rain gutters. They can be an important part of preventing rain damage to your home. If you have them already, don’t forget to clean them before the rains come again.
If you live in an area with a lot of rain, this is even more important.
However, even if you have rain gutters, it still might be a good idea to check in with Mennonite Insurance at (559) 638-2327 to check on your coverage, so you can be certain you are prepared if you ever have storm damage. They are always happy to help.
