Of all the exterior accents and fixtures on a home, the humble rain gutters bordering many roofs are often rendered invisible. This is typically because when they’re working properly, you never really think about them. But when the gutters aren’t working as well as they should be, the results can be disastrous.
Rain gutters, like the shingles on the roof, perform an important function – they direct rainwater away from the home. In this guide, you’ll learn more about what gutters do, how they function, and why they need to work as intended.
Gutter System Design
If you look at any gutter system, you will see that the gutter extends the entirety of the eave edges of the roof, or along roof features, like dormers. The gutter is installed to have a very slight pitch to it, so that when water enters the gutter, it travels in the direction of the downspout, which is located at one end. The water enters the downspout where it is then drained away from the structure’s foundation.
Why Gutters Need to Work Properly
Gutters need to work exactly how they are intended to help prevent moisture from being trapped inside the home. If the downspout becomes clogged or the water drains directly into the foundation, then water can enter the home and cause a lot of damage along the way.
This is worsened by the fact that new homes are specifically designed to trap energy in. This means that once moisture gets inside the home, it can be very difficult to get it out. And, trapped moisture can wreak havoc in a home. It can cause fungal wood rot, mildew, and dangerous mold to form. It can cause condensation to build up on windows where it can lead to swelling and rotting of wood frames. It can attract insects, and it can cause erosion around the foundation, resulting in flooding in the basement or damage to the foundation.
The Importance of Gutter Maintenance
Traditional gutters can easily become clogged with leaves, dirt, twigs, and other debris. As such, it is essential to keep the gutters clean, so rainwater can flow easily and unobstructed down the spout and away from the home.
Routine maintenance is an absolute must, but if you live in a four-season climate, it is even more important. In the fall, it’s recommended to clean the gutters out at least once a week or even more frequently, depending on how many trees are located on the property.
Protect Your Home With the Thompson Creek Gutter System
If your gutters aren’t working as well as they should, or you want a gutter system that is essentially maintenance-free, then contact Thompson Creek today. Our Thompson Creek Gutter System is a revolutionary way of protecting your home against the potential damage of rainwater. It is specially designed to keep leaves and debris out of your gutters, so water can be reliably diverted and directed away from your home.
We custom design, manufacture, and install our innovative gutter system, so you can have peace of mind knowing that every phase of the project is being handled by our experienced installers. We use only the highest quality materials, so you’re guaranteed a gutter system that performs just as good as it looks. To learn more or to get a free estimate for a new gutter system, contact Thompson Creek today.