Rain is one of Mother Nature’s most destructive forces. The damaging effects of rain can wreak havoc on your entire home, from the roof right down to the foundation, so having a well-functioning gutter system is crucial to redirect it safely away. Here are three key ways that properly installed gutters protect your home:
- Defending against structural and interior damage. If you lack gutters or yours aren’t working as they should to effectively carry rainwater away, water can back up under the shingles, degrade the roof decking, saturate the attic insulation and ruin finished interior elements like the ceilings and walls. Over time, repeated exposure to rain can also rot the exterior trim and fascia boards, and stain your siding, brick or stonework.
- Preventing erosion that harms the foundation and surroundings. Rainwater runoff that’s not being routed away effectively by your gutters and downspouts can erode the soil around your home’s perimeter. This can cause damage to the slab or foundation, as well as destroy your lawn and landscaping. It can also cause settling and/or cracking of hardscaped elements like the sidewalks, patio or deck and driveway.
- Preserving a comfortable and healthy living environment. If rain makes its way into the structure of your home, it can lead to mold growth in hidden areas like the attic, wall cavities and HVAC ductwork, or throughout your finished basement. When moisture is absorbed into the basement air from rain-soaked soil, it can overwhelm your cooling equipment and make it harder to keep your home comfortable. Mold and excessive humidity can also adversely affect the health of anyone with allergies, asthma or other breathing problems.
How Gutter Replacement Can Protect Your Home
Having a new gutter system installed can give you peace of mind that your home is safe from rain’s devastating effects. For maximum protection, you need a leak-free system that’s properly installed on every sloped edge of your roof, and that also:
- Is securely fastened to the fascia so it can capture rain coming off the roof.
- Is properly pitched and angled so water flows and doesn’t sit in the troughs.
- Has securely-attached downspouts that can handle an adequate volume of water.
- Has long enough downspouts that are also properly situated so water empties three feet away from the foundation.
To learn if gutter replacement is needed to protect your Kansas City home from rain destruction, contact us at Bill West Roofing.
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_button link=”https://www.billwestroofing.com/blog/roofing/right-questions-about-gutter-repair/” color=”default” size=”” stretch=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_divider=”yes” icon_position=”left” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”left” class=”” id=””]Read: How to Ask the Right Questions about Gutter Repair[/fusion_button]
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