The Pros and Cons of Gutters
In certain situations, some people decide not to have rain gutters installed on their houses, and so we often get asked the question: "Do I really need gutters?" Here I will explain the pros and cons of gutters so you can decide for yourself.
Cons:
Cost. Obviously gutters are not free! (However it should be noted that the cost is minimal compared to all the other parts of your house)
Installation. This can be time consuming to do yourself. It can also be a bad idea to attempt it yourself as it is easy to cause damage to the wall from the attachment points. (Nails or screws make holes in the wall that can cause water seepage and consequent problems). It is better to get gutters professionally installed unless you are very confident at DIY.
Maintenance. All gutter systems, even modern ones with guards, will need occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Gutters can be unsightly, especially if they are badly chosen and do not match the house or if they are cheap plastic ones that stain and/or break after a few years.
Pros:
Cost. While they are not free they are relatively cheap and almost always save money in the long run from the damage they prevent.
Installation. Gutters are a very easy job for professionals to install and therefore a fairly cheap part of the building process.
Damage prevention. This is the biggest 'pro' of rain gutters and comes in many forms: First, they keep water from building up on roofs, especially flatter ones, and thus prevent leaking and rotting problems. Also they divert water away from the edge of the roof and give you the power to lead rainwater to wherever you want it - even to storage to use for irrigation when it is not raining. This diversion means you can keep water from washing away the soil underneath the run-off from the roof as well as saving any plants that are growing in that area. It also prevents 'splashback' from dirtying the sides of your house and potentially damaging paintwork. It protects wooden parts of your home from water damage and potential rot. It also protects any concrete areas from cracking and, in the case of thin concrete, sinking into the ground beneath. Finally, it prevents water from building up around the sides of your house, which can not only be unsightly but can ruin walkways, cause flooding and even damage the foundations that hold your house together.
So the choice is yours. As you can see it is usually preferable to have gutters but if you decide they are not for you then hopefully you either live in an area that does not get much rainfall or you have a house with overhanging roofs and particularly good drainage!
Cons:
Cost. Obviously gutters are not free! (However it should be noted that the cost is minimal compared to all the other parts of your house)
Installation. This can be time consuming to do yourself. It can also be a bad idea to attempt it yourself as it is easy to cause damage to the wall from the attachment points. (Nails or screws make holes in the wall that can cause water seepage and consequent problems). It is better to get gutters professionally installed unless you are very confident at DIY.
Maintenance. All gutter systems, even modern ones with guards, will need occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Gutters can be unsightly, especially if they are badly chosen and do not match the house or if they are cheap plastic ones that stain and/or break after a few years.
Pros:
Cost. While they are not free they are relatively cheap and almost always save money in the long run from the damage they prevent.
Installation. Gutters are a very easy job for professionals to install and therefore a fairly cheap part of the building process.
Damage prevention. This is the biggest 'pro' of rain gutters and comes in many forms: First, they keep water from building up on roofs, especially flatter ones, and thus prevent leaking and rotting problems. Also they divert water away from the edge of the roof and give you the power to lead rainwater to wherever you want it - even to storage to use for irrigation when it is not raining. This diversion means you can keep water from washing away the soil underneath the run-off from the roof as well as saving any plants that are growing in that area. It also prevents 'splashback' from dirtying the sides of your house and potentially damaging paintwork. It protects wooden parts of your home from water damage and potential rot. It also protects any concrete areas from cracking and, in the case of thin concrete, sinking into the ground beneath. Finally, it prevents water from building up around the sides of your house, which can not only be unsightly but can ruin walkways, cause flooding and even damage the foundations that hold your house together.
So the choice is yours. As you can see it is usually preferable to have gutters but if you decide they are not for you then hopefully you either live in an area that does not get much rainfall or you have a house with overhanging roofs and particularly good drainage!
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