Without gutters, water can flood your basement, ruin your landscaping, and eventually damage your foundation—compromising its integrity and your safety. Installing a reliable gutter system can save you thousands of dollars of harm to your property (and the hassle of repairs!).
Gutters are affixed along your fascia board on your roof’s edge to channel rainwater and melted snow away from your home. They work best when covered by gutter guards to keep them free of debris.
Read on to discover the power of a reliable gutter system, and its long-term benefits to your property.
How to Determine If Your Home Needs Gutters
Does every home need gutters? The short answer is probably, but not always. There are some factors—like your home’s location and what surrounds it—that may make your house an exception.
Does water pour off your roof in some areas?
If you don’t currently have gutters, you likely see water teeming down off your roof during storms. This is a clear sign you need to have gutters installed to protect your property.
Do you have yard or sidewalk damage due to moisture?
When rainwater or melted snow falls off your roof into your yard, it can cause unwanted harm to your valuable landscaping and damage your sidewalk by contributing to unsightly cracks. These are signals that you need gutters.
Does water pool around your home’s perimeter?
Puddles and pooling water around your home’s edge are landmark signs that you need to have gutters installed to protect your biggest investment from damage.
Do you have clay-rich soil in your area?
Clay soil is common in the Chicago area, and it tends to drain water more slowly than other soil types. It’s best to install gutters if your property has clay soil.
Do you have a steep roof and long overhangs or extensions on your roof eaves?
If your roof has a steep slope and a long overhang, it’s possible you may not need gutters. Steep roofing allows rain and melting snow to slide off easier, and if your overhang extends substantially away from the side of your exterior, you probably won’t experience much damage from water. Contact a reputable contractor (like us!) and have your property assessed to confirm you own one of the rare homes that doesn’t need gutters.
Does your house sit at the top of a hill?
If your property is situated atop a downward slope, it’s possible water can flow safely away from your home without gutters. But rather than assuming you’re all set, get a free estimate from gutter specialists to verify you’re in the clear.
Is your home surrounded by concrete?
Concrete offers a protective barrier from moisture invasion. So if your home is 100% surrounded by it, you probably don’t need a gutter system.
How Gutters Benefit Your Home Value
Prevent your foundation from costly damage
Without gutters, the water that pools around your house in a storm will saturate your soil and eventually cause shifting, cracks, erosion, and flooding in your basement. All of these troubles contribute to expensive foundation damage—a hassle that you don’t want! Gutter installation will keep your foundation in good shape as water is channeled away from your home where it belongs.
Keep your home from moisture intrusion
Your windows, door frames, and utility entry points will be safeguarded from costly water intrusion when you install a reliable gutter system.
Keep water from flooding your basement
Basement flooding can be tough to overcome with that space’s limited ventilation. Adding a gutter system to your home will give you peace of mind that your basement is safeguarded from water damage.
Avoid unhealthy mold and mildew growth
A lack of gutters can cause your siding to rot or mold. Gutter installation protects it from moisture infiltration.
Safeguard your landscaping from trouble
Without gutters, wide, deep troughs can form around your home due to the constant pouring of water from the height of your roof during storms. Durable gutters can help you omit this problem and leave you with a great-looking yard.
Safeguard Your Home from Foundation Damage with Premium Gutter Installation from LeafCo Gutters
Don’t risk the possibility of foundation or landscape damage. Rest at ease that your property is well protected with durable new gutters. Our experienced team at LeafCo Gutters installs gorgeous gutters you can rely on for years. Get a free quote on new gutters for your Chicago home.
