A safe and dry home is not a luxury, it’s a basic human need. A properly installed water management system is your best investment in this regard. Eavestroughs make sure that water comes nowhere near where it can cause any damage to your structure.
Don’t get confused with the term. Eavestroughs are your gutters, which are known but not fully understood. The purpose of this piece is to provide you with everything you need to know about eavestroughs.
Explaining Eavestroughs
You can use both gutters and eavestroughs, but the latter are specifically installed along the eaves of your roof. The edge of the roof is the best place from where falling water can be captured and directed away. If these are not installed, you will see water pooling around your foundations.
Gutters, hangers, gutter guards, downspouts, and elbows are some of the main components of an eavestrough system. It can constructed from a variety of materials, each having its unique properties. You will find them most commonly in aluminum, vinyl, steel, and copper. Also, there are sectional and seamless eavestrough systems. Modern homes have K-style systems and half-round are not so common anymore. What’s more, they can be customized to suit the unique water management needs of your home.
Their installation requires considerable expertise. That’s why, we don’t recommend DIYing eavestrough installation. Effective slope calculation and strategic placement of downspouts are some of the most important features of any installation.
Eavestroughs have to be maintained periodically to make sure their performance isn’t affected. Twice a year cleaning, frequent inspections, and installing protective measures like gutter guards are some of the necessary steps you can take to maintain them.
Over time, you can encounter some problems. Clogs, leaks, and sagging are some of the common ones. If they are properly maintained, you will see these problems less often.
Now, let’s talk about how you will know what is best for you. Whether you should go for a 6-inch system or less. Are K-styles best for you or half-round? What materials should you choose and so much more? Your budget will also be a huge determiner. Vinyl will be cheaper but copper will be more durable. All of this can be pretty confusing. Do your homework beforehand. Know about your climate, and the amount of rainfall you receive, and set a specific budget. Or, hire a professional eavestrough installation service, and make it easier for you.
How are Eavestroughs Important for your Home?
By now, you must be aware of what eavestroughs are. Now, let’s talk about their importance for your home.
They Protect your Structural Integrity
Just like termite crumbles the wood, water can crumble your home’s structure. Think for yourself, if there is no eavestrough to handle rainwater, will it not wreak havoc on your home and cause all kinds of damages? In no time, you will see,
- Your foundation cracking due to hydrostatic pressure from the standing water.
- Your roof will start decaying due to constant exposure to moisture.
- A consistent damp environment will invite all kinds of mold growth, and risk your health.
With eavestrough installed, you protect your home from water damage and save yourself from all this trouble.
They Make Drainage More Efficient
Without eavestroughs, water will drain eventually one way or another. But, it will disturb everything along the way. With a properly installed eavestrough, water will be drained more efficiently, in a systematic, and controlled manner. Water will fall on your roof, then into the eavestroughs, with a ¼ inch per 10 feet slope, the water will move swiftly to the downspouts and will be discharged away from your home. Without it, your home will practically be a ‘waterfall’.
They Preserve Your Landscape
As said in the previous point, without eavestroughs, water will move uncontrollably. It will damage plants and take topsoil with it. With eavestroughs, water will be directed to the discharge point and your landscape will stay safe.
They Boost Curb Appeal
With eavestroughs, your exterior can stay maintained for a long time. Otherwise, uncontrolled water will damage the paint, and the desirable finished look will be replaced by a rustic, unkempt one. You can increase the aesthetics and value of your property by installing a well-integrated gutter system.
We have explained eavestroughs and their importance for your home. It can be safely said that they are non-negotiable for your home’s protection against water damage. Now, you can make an informed decision in the best interest of your home.
