Rain Gutters- Do I need them?

Question

Do I need them???  Where we are, be get about 32" per year and it comes at different times of the year.  We can go months with no rain at all.  Are gutters just something people install because they don't know any better or do they indeed serve a purpose.  If there is drainage away from the house, does it make a difference if the  rain falls directly under the eaves or a couple of feet out with a gutter spout?

Steven Rubino · Answer

If you're buying an existing house I agree, you need them. However if I was building a house new, I would consider no gutters, bring my foundation wall up 3' above grade, and French drain with plenty of gravel around the perimeter of the house. This is of course if the topography of the property would allow for proper drainage to either the street or a convieniently placed leeching well.

Just another option to consider, especially if you're like me and HATE cleaning gutters.

Michael Lee · Answer

i am sorry that i did not  proof that.

Michael Lee · Answer

Hello and welcome to BP!  your first response was a pretty good one.  there are times when gutter systems are overrun by the rain but an attempt to foce your drainage away from te foundation is a good side advantage.  Believe it or not, buyers will think about it positively. it will help your overall drainage that makes some buyers comfortable.  it helps if you spend a little extra money to get a larger system.  I know that guttering is an expense but do it right and it will pay off.  Potential buyers will think positive about it, especially if you are in a area with drainage problem area.  the proper stsem installed correctly will convince some people they are makng a good purchase. why do i say that?  i am 60 years old and have been in the construction business for about 30 years.

/Good luck to you!

Josue Vargas · Answer

Have you seen these ugly houses with a dirt mark on the bottom walls?  Not to mention foundation issues, but if its not your case, sure! you can skip them!  if you have for example garden bushes that can hide that ugly leafy stuff coming from the trees, I will recommend NOT to install gutters on your roof, if the soil is heavily sand.  Now, if you do not belong in these areas, obviously need them.  It is very important to keep water-off from returning into your foundation.  That said, no matter the rain you receive, unless you live in New Mexico or Arizona or that sort of place, you most likely need one.

Andrew Johnson · Answer

@Brad Smith I don't know if this is 100% accurate all the time but where you position your down spout is supposed be a spot where you are channeling the water away from the house.  It's also why they have those little downspout extensions to "help" the water get a couple of feet away from your house before feeding into that channel.  It doesn't always look like there's a massive channel/funnel but when it rains (and it's not like San Diego is known for robust rain) you can watch the water flow away from the property.  Anyway, two cents...

Bill Gulley · Answer

The issue is any heavy rain, that is unknown, water sinks in near the foundation regardless of how high it might be, erodes under the foundation base and over time creates a cavity, the concrete then cracks and you'll have foundation issues.

You'll also get a rut where the rain falls 8/10/12 or more feet down.

If you're ever getting a government loan, FHA or VA, you'll need gutters, or if your buyer needs a loan. A conventional loan might be obtained, depends on the appraiser's comments but they will adjust value and for probably 1 1/2 times the cost to put them on.

You can also have insurance issues, if you have water pipe problems because your wall settled they may not cover the damage, they sure won't cover foundation issues from erosion!

Future buyers will wonder if there could be an issue, so will inspectors or appraisers, I've seen buyers walk away with fewer concerns, several little things hit your market value.

Water management is serious stuff, left to fester you'll have a home destroyed by water pretty quickly. Foundation problems run all the way up to the roof ridge, walls are stressed, windows can break, walls crack.......ask me how I know,,,,,get gutters, the PVC type work, a DIY job, cheap insurance.

Good luck :)

Matt Vogt · Answer

No, you don't "need" them. I absolutely would have them though. The reason you have gutters is to catch the rain and channel it away from your foundation. If you have seen a house with a crumbling foundation, it's usually caused by poor drainage and/or sloping of the landscape. 5K for gutters vs 30K of foundation repairs seems to make for an easy choice.

Rain Gutters- Do I need them?

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