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Gutters are a critical component of your home. Their primary function is to prevent rainwater from the roof pouring directly next to the walls of your house. If that happens, the foundation is likely to get exposed to more water than is necessary and get damaged unless you’re going to dig in looking for gemstone in your backyard. And the landscaping around your house also risks destruction due to the force of pouring water around the drip edge of the roof. Aside from preventing water damage, gutters can also enhance the curb appeal of your home.
For these reasons, you may want to upgrade your home gutter system. Here are five ways to do so:
1. Go Seamless
Perhaps you have sectional gutters on your roof. These have been the norm for most homeowners in the last few decades. However, the joints on these types of gutters act as weak points. They can sag under the water load and form ideal points for the accumulation of leaves and other roof debris. The joints are also where leakages start.
To save yourself from such inconveniences, consider installing seamless gutters. This type features a one-piece run on every straight section of the drip edge. As such, you’ll reap benefits like:
- Less clogging
- Better looks because of the absence of the unsightly joints
- Longer lifespan than standard gutters
2. Install Gutter Guards
Another common problem you probably encounter with your gutters is the piling of dirt. The wind blows all sorts of dirt onto the roof, including leaves, soil, plastics, and sticks. And when it rains, the trash washes down to the gutter and eventually into the downspout. With time, they pile up to a level that renders the gutter system non-effective. It no longer directs rainwater away from your home as it’s supposed to.
To solve this problem, you can install gutter guards. Usually, they come in the form of a mesh which allows water into the gutters but blocks out all debris. This way, the gutters, and downspouts stay free of dirt year after year. Any dirt accumulating on the guards is blown away by the wind or washed to the ground by rainwater runoff. And thus, you’ll never have to frequently climb that dreadful ladder to unclog the gutters.
But take note that not all designs of guards efficiently direct water into the gutter. If the gutter has very small meshes, rainwater runoff may fail to be caught by the gutter and just pour over the drip edge. So, go for a design that’s proven to work well even during heavy downpours.
3. Copper Gutters
Do you also have aluminum gutters, as most homeowners do? It’s time to break the monotony. Think about a unique material choice like copper. You’ll instantly boost your home’s curb appeal with these classy gutters.
Their natural look is charming to the eye. And in addition to aesthetics, copper is sturdy, meaning the gutters will serve you for several decades before you need to replace them. They’re also dent-free, and so you’ll have solved the problem of clogging. But do note that they’re a bit more expensive than their aluminum counterparts.
4. Rain Chains
Heavy rain ends from a roof in a big reservoir from where it pour out and down a chain made of metal rings
You can also stand out from the crowd by having rain chains in place of the age-old round pipe downspouts. They are a Japanese invention meant to add charm on an otherwise gloomy rainy day.
As rainwater follows the vertical chains, sometimes embellished with bell-like guides, the resulting sound is like a waterfall. Add the slight tinkling of the chains, and you see why they’re such a stylish addition to your home gutter system.
There are quite a lot of designs to choose from. Go for whichever one pleases you, as long as it properly directs the rainwater from the roof to the ground and away from your home’s foundation.
5. French Drains
After successfully directing roof runoff to the ground, you don’t want it to pool around the foundation. It may slowly seep into the foundation and make it weak. If you have a basement, it may flood with water, or its walls can grow mold and mildew.
What you need to do is further direct the water as far away as possible from your home. You can do this through an underground pipe attached to the end of the downspout.
Alternatively, you can construct a half-round open channel drain. This option might be better than underground pipes, given that you’ll never have to worry about unclogging difficult-to-reach spots. You can also tactfully hide them from view if you don’t like their sight on your compound.
In Conclusion
There are several ways to upgrade your home gutter system, as highlighted above. For best results, ensure that you work with a reliable roofing company with vast professional experience in roofing and gutter installation. With the right contractor, you can count on your upgraded gutter system to last several decades before you need to do major repairs.
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