Gutter Buddies: Your Trusted Gutter Experts

Do I even need gutters for my foundation?

The foundation forms the structural underpinning for the entire house. Foundation damage from water may proceed silently and may be in an advanced state before it’s discovered. Or it may manifest as acute water damage to the interior of the home.

Moist foundations damage wood structural components  Moisture from ground water permeating the crawl space warps and rots wood members and promotes mold growth. Closing the crawl space and sealing it from ground and outdoor moisture sources, as well as installing a dehumidifier, will reduce moisture damage.

Water-saturated soil around the house – Loosely packed soil adjacent to the foundation may absorb a large volume of water. The continuous presence of water leaches into the foundation and may penetrate the basement. Make sure gutters and downspouts are functional. Also, landscape should be graded to divert water away from the foundation. Indoors, a basement sump pump provides protection against acute inundation.

Structural cracks from water damage  Silent water intrusion may remove supporting soil beneath the foundation footings and slab. Loss of support causes the foundation to settle and crack, as well as cracks and other defects in walls upstairs. Subterranean drains can remove water from adjacent soil and prevent foundation damage. In addition, a sump basin and pump can relieve water pressure below the slab.

Soil expansion and contraction  Soil surrounding the foundation may alternate between water-soaked and dry. Expansion from water produces positive pressure against the foundation and may cause deformation or cracking, as well as water infiltration through the concrete. Dry soil contraction removes support and may allow the foundation to settle and crack.

Do I even need gutters for my siding?

Your home’s siding is continually drenched by water coming off the roof unless you direct it somewhere else — like through a downspout!

Frequent soaking of wood siding can lead to rotting. That’s the worst-case scenario.

If you have vinyl siding, rot is less of a concern, but staining can be just as damaging when you factor in the value to your home. You may not be able to resell a home with what appears to be water-stained siding, so replacement will be necessary.

It’s not just your siding that might sustain damage. Think about the long-term effects of water on your decks or patio. Outdoor wooden structures continually exposed to water won’t look or function like they should.