A gutter system is integral to the long-term well-being of any home. Gutters allow roofing systems to shed rainwater as quickly and efficiently as possible. Downspouts ensure water steers clear of a home’s foundation without damaging the landscape and hardscapes.
Gutter Guards
The best gutter systems are seamless, and while gutter guards aren’t a requirement for seamless gutters, many experts recommend them. Guards keep leaves, pine needles, dirt, and other debris out of the gutters and downspouts. Those materials can easily block the passage between a gutter and downspout. That slows the rate at which water passes through and may lead to overflowing. Guards minimize how often you need to clean your gutters. They’re also very effective at avoiding the sudden clogging that can occur during severe weather.
Standard Downspouts and Downspout Extensions
Standard downspouts are either 2-by-3 or 3-by-4 inches. A common mistake is using a smaller size when a home needs a larger variety instead. A professional installer can assess this accurately based on the square footage of your roof in addition to the inches per rainfall an hour you should expect during a bad storm.
It’s also important to note that manufacturers shape downspout ends to be compatible with practically any home. They ensure just enough space between the foundation and where the water exits. In many cases, downspouts won’t be ideal for your particular home. That’s where downspout extensions come in. They allow you to increase the area between the foundation and water, displace the water as it exits, channel it, and so forth.
Foundations, Crawl Spaces, and Basements
Water should exit a downspout far enough away that you never have standing water near the foundation. Ponding water can undermine the foundation over time and cause moisture issues and even flooding in crawl spaces and basements. An installer will measure the length you need for each downspout and also make adjustments based on the lay of the land.
Landscape
Water will follow the path of least resistance. It’s crucial to ensure that the path doesn’t require carving a new route through the landscape. That can result in soil erosion, which will negatively affect your landscape and perhaps your foundation over time. It’s also essential to ensure that the downspout end is not at a location where the yard is susceptible to oversaturation.
Hardscapes
There are many downspout extension lengths and styles to protect not only your landscape but also your hardscapes, including driveways and walkways. Ideally, downspouts shouldn’t dump directly onto hard surfaces or, at least, should do so toward a French drain or other drainage solution. Otherwise, the water can cause significant wear to concrete and stone over the years.
Contact MHI Roofing in Morgantown, WV today to learn more about how we can solve your drainage issues through professional gutter installation services.
