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Do I Need Gutters On My House?

Do I Need Gutters On My House?

If you live in Marion County, Indianapolis and own a home your house probably has gutters on it. You may ask, “Do I need gutters on my house”? The short answer is Yes your house needs gutters.

What is a house gutter? A gutter is a pipe or trough along the edge of a roof that carries rainwater away from a building. If your house has no gutters, rainwater will run down the roof and flow to your foundation. For instance, given enough time, rainwater can harm your house by rotting wood siding, trim and pooling at the foundation that seeps into your slab, crawl space or basement. Consequently there may be potential problems that will have to be addressed later.

For instance you may ask, “Do I need gutters on my house”? The short answer is Yes your house needs gutters.

The housing code for Marion County states:

Sec. 10-705.
Stormwater must be properly drained from the roof of a dwelling by either:
a) gutters, leaders and down-spouts that are maintained in good
working condition, or
b) other provisions for controlled water disposal of roof drainage to an approved drainage system or to the ground surface at least five feet from foundation walls.

There are several types of gutters available and typically made from one of the following materials such as: vinyl, steel and aluminum. Each has its strengths and weaknesses and we will address them in a separate post.

Furthermore, all gutter systems need regular maintenance. The best way to protect your investment is to make sure your gutters are secure to your house in proper repair. Make sure they flow correctly and that downspouts are open and free flowing. You may have to dismantle the downspout in order to remove leaves a debris. Make sure tree limbs are not touching your roof. Clean your gutters at least once a year.

Definitely, consider installing gutter guards especially if you live on a lot with many trees around your house. Clearly gutter guards will help with the regular maintenance of your gutters.

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