Gutters are one of those home features that most of us take for granted. They go up and magically collect water from the sky. But, what are the logistics? How do gutters work? Read on to learn about gutter function basics.
How Do Gutters Work?
Here is a brief overview of how gutters work:
- Rain flows down your roofing and into the gutters below. If the rain flings off the roof and over the gutters, the gutters may not be in the proper placement.
- If the gutters are clean and working properly, the water runs down the gutters and into the downspouts. The gutters are the horizontal components near the roofline, and the downspouts are the vertical components that flow down to the ground. Gutters look flat at first glance, but they are installed at a slight slope to encourage water to flow downward.
- Water from the downspouts flows away from the house. Some homes have French drains for the water to flow into, while others have designated channels for gutter water.
- In the case of clogged gutters or no gutters at all, the rain has no designated channel. It may fling off the roof, down a portion of the gutters, or into places you may not want pooling water. That is why gutters are so important.
Why Gutters Are Important
Gutters are more than an aesthetic feature of your home. They provide fundamental drainage control to protect your foundation. Pooling water around your basement can create intense pressure from every angle. It can also erode the soil beneath your home, which leads to foundation shifting and settling. If gutters are in proper working order, water gets transferred to another part of the property. This protects the house’s structural integrity and extends the life of the property.
Signs Your Gutters Are Not Working Properly
The information above covers how gutters work if they’re functioning correctly. If your gutters are not performing their duties, it may be time for an upgrade. Here are some signs your gutters are not working efficiently:
- Water pools around your foundation when it rains.
- Water flows directly over the gutters and onto the ground below.
- The gutters have started to sag or hang off the house.
- Your gutters get persistently clogged in the joints.
- Your guttering no longer matches your home’s exterior.
- The gutters are rusted, dented or falling apart.
Learn more about how to fix overflowing gutters in this guide from Sargent Gutters & Siding: Overflowing Gutters – Causes, Treatment and Prevention Steps. If you’d like a quote for new gutters in Metro Detroit MI, please call (800) 465-7460 to schedule an appointment.
