When moving into or remodeling a home, you might come to a point in which you ask yourself whether or not gutters and downspouts are necessary. Many homeowners wrestle with the idea of installing a gutter and downspout system since it is an expensive investment and clogged gutters can cause a serious amount of costly damages. But this perspective is a risky one to have, and choosing to forgo gutter and downspout installation for the sake of saving money is not a wise nor lucrative decision. Continue reading to learn 3 important reasons why your home requires a quality an outdoor water drainage system.
Understanding the Importance
Before discussing the reasons why gutters and downspouts are so important, let’s first address the myth that clogged gutters will cause serious, costly damage, and forgoing them prevents flooding and foundation damage. This is untrue because without a gutter and downspout system, the water will run over the sides of your home; so every time it rains, you will have water pooling issues. Gutters only cause this issue when they become clogged, which can be easily prevented with a little routine maintenance.
Here’s Why You Need Them:
1. Soil Erosion Prevention. When homes are built to code, they are built on a slight slope so that water runoff is directed away from the home’s foundation. Without an outdoor water drainage system, water flow is not guided properly, and the soil supporting the foundation of the property will massively erode overtime. After a while, water run-off will flow towards the home rather than away. This causes the foundation to settle, and you can even experience uneven or buckling floors, cracked ceilings, and wall cracks, inside the home.
2. Basement Flood Prevention. Water has weight, and when soil becomes saturated with water, it is naturally heavier. Without gutters and downspouts, water accumulation weighs down the soil and adds excessive pressure on the foundation. Over time, basement walls will begin to push forward, warp, and crack. It can also lead to mold and mildew damage.
3. Siding Protection. Unguided water flow will carry dirt, sediment, and debris with it wherever it goes. As it runs down your siding, it will leave behind stains, and eventually cause it to rot away. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth. Not only is this detrimental to your home’s curb appeal, it negatively impacts your home’s overall value since siding rot can jeopardize its structural integrity.
Talk to a licensed home remodeling contractor about installing an outdoor water drainage system on your home. They have the knowledge and resources to provide professional assessments and solutions that fit your home’s water runoff needs, as well as your budget.