What Is A Gutter And Why We Use It?

A gutter is an element to collect the rainwater that falls on the roofs, thus preventing the water from sliding on the façade of the buildings. The gutters are normally placed suspended under the eaves of the roof, and through their slight inclination, they guide the rainwater towards the drainpipes, normally placed in the corners of the systems.

The gutters can be made of different materials, usually metal or PVC, although there are also ceramic gutters. Gutters are always made of durable materials, resistant to changes in temperature, wind and any weather conditions to which they may be exposed. For safety reasons and to avoid deterioration or detachment, the gutters must be fixed to the façade by means of a professional company with the appropriate equipment.

What is the function of gutters?

Although they can receive different uses, the main function of gutters is to collect and conduct rainwater , which can be drained or stored in specific tanks for such use. The possibility of collecting rainwater that falls on roofs can save important water, and is highly recommended if we live in an area with little rainfall or water scarcity. Although this water is not drinkable for human consumption, it can be used for garden irrigation and other uses. As you are sure you know, fresh water is a relatively scarce commodity, and the possibility of reusing rainwater is a great advantage of using available resources in a responsible and sustainable way.

Who can install a gutter system?

As we have already said, it is not recommended to try to install a water drainage system for a house by yourself, and the main reason for this is safety. On the one hand, it is a job that has to be carried out at height, and this is already an imminent risk if we do not have the necessary experience and equipment.

In addition to this, it is extremely important that the system is designed by professionals, who are in charge of assembling the system so that it is watertight, and that it also has the proper inclination to drain the water without causing blockages or accumulations that can cause the system to overflow. . Finally, it is extremely important that the gutters are correctly fixed. A water drainage system that detaches from a facade can be very dangerous, both for pedestrians and for the inhabitants of the house.

Is it advisable to hire a company specialized in gutters?

The answer is obvious, having companies specialized in the installation of gutters gives you the guarantee of a system designed to measure for your home. In addition to the fact that a specialized company has professionals specially trained to install and maintain gutters, as well as the materials and tools necessary to carry out the job optimally and with a perfect finish.

It should also be borne in mind that the installation and maintenance of the gutters is a job that is not without risk. By having a company specialized in gutters, you have the guarantee that the work will be carried out in full safety conditions for both pedestrians and residents of the house; in addition to the safety of the professionals who carry out the work, who will be properly equipped to carry out the work in conditions of minimal risk.

If you have a company specialized in gutters to maintain your rainwater drainage system, you can always be sure that your gutters will be in perfect condition. During maintenance work, not only are the gutters cleaned and unclogged, the entire system is thoroughly checked, checking the anchors and downspouts to ensure that your gutters work perfectly and are safe for you and your family.

Finally, a company specialized in gutters can advise you on any questions you may have about your drainage system. As well as offering you new solutions to improve your system, whether they are protectors for the downspouts, grids to prevent dirt from accumulating inside the gutters, tanks to collect rainwater and be able to reuse it and some more solutions that are really practical. to minimize maintenance and ensure gutters last for many years.

Why is gutter maintenance important?

While it is true that a properly installed rainwater drainage system by professionals will give you few headaches, it is important that we do not neglect its maintenance. Gutter maintenance should preferably be carried out by the same professionals who installed it, and with the necessary regularity depending on the specific place in which they are located, normally once or twice a year.

Usually we will perform maintenance on our gutters in late fall, since the main reason for clogging the gutters is usually the leaves that fall from the trees at this time. If we live in a heavily wooded area it is possible that due to the small branches that come off, leaves, pollen and other materials, it is possible to have to perform maintenance a second time during the spring.

Gutter maintenance in late fall is definitely a must. Gutters must be clean to properly withstand rainfall and low temperatures during winter. If our gutters are clogged and accumulate water inside, this could end up freezing with the drop in temperatures and this will deteriorate the system quickly, producing breaks, fissures and possible irreparable damage.

A gutter system without proper maintenance will undoubtedly end up leaking and cracking. The water will not drain properly and will end up falling down the facade of the building, producing leaks towards the interior. It can also end up seeping into the foundation and causing costly damage to the building structure, which can be dangerous.

Another problem that we will appreciate if our gutters do not do their job properly is the appearance of stains on the facade. Both the unsightly water and lime marks on the facade and the possible appearance of mold will make the facade of our home look abandoned. In addition, its restoration will be much more expensive than dedicating the budget and time necessary to keep our gutters in good condition.

As you can see, the carelessness in the maintenance of our rainwater drainage system can cause serious problems at home, not to mention the cost of the corresponding repairs. Remember that at the end of autumn, our gutters must be in good condition to withstand the harsh winter conditions and you can be sure that in the long term this will mean significant savings.

How to choose the gutters for a house?

When choosing a specific gutter model for a house we will take into account several factors.

In the first place, the gutters are sold in a standard size, but we will always take into account the range of rainfall in our home to choose a certain width. In this sense, it will also be necessary to plan how many downspouts the system will have, depending on the perimeter of the roof that they have to surround.

As a second point to take into account, we must think about the material of our gutters. As you already know, gutters are sold in various materials, you will find polymer gutters such as PVC, and metal gutters, whether aluminum, copper, etc. It must be taken into account that plastic materials are more brittle and less resistant, in addition to the fact that exposure to direct sunlight increases the chances of breakage.