One asks many questions when moving to a new home or when building a house and one of them is how long a house can go without gutters. Whatever your reason for this question, you must get the right answers alongside the right reasons.
Gutters are essential functions for your home; without them, your home is pretty vulnerable, especially when you live in an area where there is constant rainfall. The primary function of gutters is to protect the foundation of your house by sweeping away the water. They protect your foundation and other important parts from water damage.
Many old houses do not have gutters since they were first constructed in the mid-1900s. A house can survive without gutters depending on some factors such as climate. A home with an excellent drainage system and no basement can also go a long time without gutters.
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What is a Gutter System?
Gutters are created solely to collect rainwater and direct it elsewhere, so it does not damage your home’s foundation. They can be seen as water discharge system of a house and have different parts such as the downspout, hangers, ferrule, end caps, etc.
A gutter system is a metal pipe, usually aluminum, or a long hollow device that is generally fixed along with a building’s roof features. It collects rainwater from the roof and channels it to a canal or drainage using a downspout. The basement and foundation are protected from water damage and flooding.
The Importance of Gutters
Now that we have examined the definition of a gutter system and its use, let us look at its importance.
Gutters Protect Your Basement from Flooding
There are many advantages of having a gutter system in your home. One of them is that they protect your basements from getting flooded with rainwater by channeling the water away from the house’s base, especially in places where heavy rains are constant.
The basement is located at the bottom part of the house, which means it will receive the most damage when rain falls. If it eventually gets flooded, you will have to spend quite a large of money to get the water out and fix whatever it might have damaged down there. You may also lose whatever essential items you have stored in the basement.
Gutters Protect the Roof of Your Home
Believe it or not, your roof gets damaged every time rainfalls as they receive the most impact. When there is constant rain and floods, moisture and puddles increase, and this can cause leaks in your roof. Consistent heavy rains will wear your roof’s shingles and eventually cause damage.
When a house has a fixed gutter system maintained adequately, it channels all the rainwater from the roof into drainage or canal. This means you do not have to worry about excessive water, which leads to damage.
Gutters Protect the Foundation of a Building
This is of significant importance as the foundation of a building is its most important part. It is the backbone of every building, but even the backbone can be damaged with constant excessive water. Without a properly functioning foundation, your house will sink as it is what holds the house up.
When rain falls, the water automatically falls to the ground. As time goes on, the water becomes excessive, and the ground will no longer be able to absorb it. This leads to flooding, and the water will eventually seep into your foundation, making it weak, and fatal damage is inevitable at the end of the day. A gutter system is an excellent way to prevent water damage.
Other importance of gutters includes:
- Gutters protect the exterior parts of your home (overhead garage doors) from water damage.
- It prevents erosion which protects the landscapes around your home from getting damaged.
- It is a great way to reduce cracks on your sidewalks and driveways.
What Happens to a House Without a Gutter System?
With all that is written above, it is apparent that there are a lot of damages that can happen to a house without a gutter system. The major disadvantage of the absence of a gutter system in your home is the eventual water damage.
Apart from the water damage to your foundation, driveway, sidewalk, roof, exterior doors, and basement, many other problems will occur when there is no gutter system in a building.
- Constant rain will lead to massive erosion; the soil around your home will be washed away every time it rains.
- It leads to the problem of mold and mildew.
- It damages the insulation of a building’s walls.
- It causes runoff to flow towards your home instead of away from it due to erosion.
How Long Can a House Go Without Gutters?
The amount of time a house can go without gutters all depends on the house’s structure, such as climate. Homes located in sunny areas where it seldom rains are barely ever constructed with gutters. If you live in a place with constant rainfall, your house will eventually start to show signs of water damage.
The general answer to the question above is not very long. This is because the basement in a home makes it easier for water to seep into the foundation, which makes it weak. After a point, damages will occur, and the house will sink. Homes with no basement and excellent landscaping do not necessarily need a gutter system.
When Might Your Roof Not Need Gutters?
One primary reason why your roof might not need gutters is that your house is very old. Gutters were not constructed in homes until the mid-1900s, meaning they found other drainage alternatives. So, if your house is very old, it will not have a gutter and will not need a gutter.
Another reason you may not need a gutter system installed in your home is that you do not live where rainy seasons are constant. There is no need to bother about the upkeep of a gutter system when there is barely any rain.
Conclusion
With all the dangers of not having a gutter system installed in your home, especially when you live in an arid area, overlooking the installation of a gutter in your house can be a wrong choice.