Do Gutters Really Matter? Understanding Their Purpose

If you’ve been making plans to build a new home, you’ve most likely been wrapped up in the exciting decisions like kitchen cabinetry, flooring, and exterior finishes. Chances are, there are a handful of things you haven’t thought of yet, and most likely one of those overlooked decisions is the gutters. Because they rarely make the highlight reels, some homeowners may even wonder if they really matter that much.  

For most homes, the answer to this question is a definitive yes. Playing an invaluable role in home protection, gutters are often underappreciated until something goes wrong. While not every situation requires gutters, this guide will help readers understand what gutters actually do and why it matters, the benefits of a good gutter system, and the few times they may not be necessary. More than that, you’ll walk away understanding why gutters are more important for some homes than others. But first, if you are asking whether gutters matter, it’s important to start with what they do. 

What Do Gutters Actually Do?

Although seemingly simple, gutter systems are a highly effective and critically important water management system for homes. Attached to the edge of the roofline, gutter channels run horizontally to the roof, collecting water runoff. Once in the gutters, as long as they are properly sloped, the water is directed towards the downspouts, which are vertical tubes that drain water near the ground, safely away from the home and important landscaping. 

Without gutters, rainwater and snowmelt have nowhere to go and instead run off the roof edge, dripping down the home’s exterior and crashing down below, washing away soil and pooling near the foundation. Over time and with repeated weather events, uncontrolled runoff eventually leads to serious damage. In Cornelius, where heavy thunderstorms and lake-effect moisture events are common, gutters prevent water issues that can quickly damage a home, even a new one. With gutters in place, this same water can be collected and controlled, protecting everything under the roof. 

How Much Water Falls Off a Roof?

Although it is impossible to answer this question for every home with one response, we can break it down so you can relate it to your home and specific region. 

Many homeowners have no idea how much water their roofs shed during a storm and are surprised by the amount when they do the math. As a general rule, one inch of rainfall will produce a little over ½ gallon of water per square foot of the roof area. That means, for a 2,000-square-foot roof, a single inch of rain can dump more than 1,200 gallons of water into the gutters (or onto the ground without gutters). In North Carolina, it’s possible to get several inches of rain in a single storm, making water management all the more important. Not only is having a gutter system important in areas like North Carolina, but having one properly sized to handle large amounts of water in short periods is also vital. But why? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the ten benefits of having a rain gutter system installed on a new home.

Ten Benefits of Having Gutters on Your Home

Talk to any Cornelius gutter company about gutters, and they’ll tell you the benefits far outweigh any downfalls. Because they are designed specifically for water management, gutters help protect properties in several ways throughout the property. Here are ten reasons why gutters are worth including on almost any new home:

1. One of the primary jobs of a gutter system is to protect the home’s foundation. By keeping water at a safe distance from the home’s perimeter, gutters reduce the likelihood of cracking caused by saturation and settling. 
2. Homes with basements and crawlspaces are susceptible not only to flooding but also to mold and mildew growth from saturated soil surrounding the home.
3. As mentioned above, mold and mildew thrive in moist environments. When water is left uncontrolled, it seeps into all kinds of nooks and crannies, causing mold and mildew growth in the home, which can be hazardous to occupants’ health.
4. By channeling water a safe distance away from the home, gutters protect against soil erosion that can create trenches, damage plants, and wash soil away from the foundation.
5. Properly installed gutter systems prevent water from dripping onto the fascia boards, soffits, and other roof components, helping ensure they do not prematurely rot, corrode, or deteriorate.
6. Gutters prevent water from constantly running off the roof and down the exterior of the home. This helps eliminate water stains, mold growth, and premature deterioration of the exterior finishes.
7. Without gutters, water goes every which way, spilling onto sidewalks and driveways and creating muddy, slippery conditions, especially in cold weather.
8. Gutters, whether you realize it or not, enhance the curb appeal of homes by creating clean lines and eliminating water stains. A good gutter system enhances the property’s overall aesthetic.
9. A quality gutter system installed by a professional gutter company can increase a home’s market value.
10. By managing water runoff, gutters extend the life of the roof by effectively managing water flow.

Are There Any Downsides to Having Gutters?

It’s undeniable: gutters provide clear benefits to homes and properties, but they don’t come without a few drawbacks. Gutter systems require periodic cleaning and occasional maintenance. Without it, gutters can clog and cause as many problems as having none at all. And, of course, cost is always a downside; however, the cost of repairing damage caused by a gutter system’s absence can far exceed the initial installation cost. 

Are Gutters Always Necessary?

Although rare, there are situations when gutters can be omitted from a new home. Although most benefit from gutters, the following situations are examples of when they may not be necessary:

• Arid regions, such as the southern desert areas in Arizona or New Mexico
• Structures that are built on and surrounded by either cement sloped away from the home or homes built on steep, rocky terrain where water naturally drains well.
• Homes that are built with integrated drainage systems without the need for a traditional gutter system.

These situations are extremely rare and certainly not common in our rainy North Carolina climate. For the average residential home, gutters remain a key player in protecting the home against water damage. 

Why Gutters Matter More for Some Homes

Gutters are beneficial for most homes, but for some, they matter just a little bit more. Several factors impact how important the gutter’s job will be; they include:

• The size of the roof. More surface area means more rainwater in the gutters.
• The slope or pitch of the roof. The steeper the roof, the faster water will run into the gutter system, potentially overwhelming it if the gutter system isn’t large enough.
• Roofs with multiple valleys will combine water from multiple surfaces before it enters the gutter, producing heavier flows in specific locations.
• Homes with basements are at an increased risk for flooding just by existing. When water is not properly managed, it often finds its way to these low-lying areas.
• Local weather is a major factor in determining the importance of a gutter system. Communities throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area experience crazy summer storms capable of producing obscene amounts of rainfall in short amounts of time.

In all of these cases, it’s important to have an experienced professional gutter company design a system tailored to the home’s specific challenges and needs.

More Than an Accessory

It’s easy to assume that gutters don’t matter too much when building a new home. After all, there are so many more important details like picking windows, light fixtures, and tile. Right? Wrong. While the job of the gutter seems simple, to catch water and drain it away from the home, the protection they offer is invaluable. Preserving foundations, protecting landscaping, reducing erosion, and preventing basement flooding, mold, and mildew growth, the gutters move thousands of gallons of water away from your home every year. And while gutters are not always necessary, most residential properties benefit from controlled water drainage. If you still have questions about whether gutters are appropriate for your new build, speak with a knowledgeable gutter company in your area that can provide valuable guidance based on your home’s unique design and drainage needs. Nine times out of ten, gutters are not an optional accessory; they are a lifesaver!