Without a doubt, gutters will protect your foundation from water. It’s particularly important to have gutters installed if you live in an area that gets large amounts of rain. Since many cities receive 30″-45” of rain annually, they’re frequently used to protect both slab and pier and beam foundations.
What Type Of Gutters Protect Foundations?
All kinds of gutters can help preserve your property. Gutters come in different sizes and are also made with different materials. This includes vinyl, galvanized steel and even materials such as aluminum and copper. It’s important to bear in mind that gutters come in different gauges, too. That means that some are thicker than others. Since they are available in different materials and gauges, they can greatly range in price.
When making a decision regarding what type of gutter will best protect your foundation, it pays to talk to a qualified contractor. You’ll want to make sure that your gutters slope sufficiently. After all, you want the water on your roof to drain down and away from the exterior of your house. Also, your gutters should be attached to downspouts. The purpose of the downspouts is to deposit the water a safe distance from your home. Downspouts are usually placed at every corner of a house.
About Gutters and Drainage Systems:
Oftentimes downspouts are connected to French drains, especially in rainy areas such as the DFW metroplex. Drains are needed because gutters alone do not always afford enough protection. These drainage systems collect rainwater that can cause your foundation to heave upwards. If excessive moisture does accumulate under your foundation, it’s quite likely that you will require foundation repair. In the end, it’s far cheaper to install gutters and a French drainage system than it is to repair a severely damaged foundation.
About Maintaining Your Gutters:
Keep in mind that gutters are only effective if they’re not clogged. Things like tree leaves, branches, nuts and berries can cause them to become stopped up. For that reason, you’ll need to clear your gutters on a regular basis. During the spring season, you will probably need to clean them 2-3 times. This is especially true if you have oak trees or another type of tree that drops lots of leaves.
If you don’t have gutters, have some installed right away. And, if you find that you require a French drain or another type of system, call an experienced drainage contractor like HD Foundations.