Most homes in the United States have
rain gutters. They are typically made of metal designed to control the flow of rainwater off a home's roof. They form a channel or trough along the edge of the roof or fascia that leads water to a downspout that takes water several feet away from the base of the home or business.
The
greatest fear of rainwater entering your home is black mold. Mold spores are everywhere, they are simply sitting around awaiting exposure to moisture so that they can end up being active. If you have wetness in your house then it’s practically a considered that you are going to end up with a black mold problem. Now while this type of issue is bad, it’s even worse when it’s a result of a sluggish leakage such as the type that a defective gutter and downspout system allows.
Rain gutters are also known as simply gutters, an eaves channel guttering, or eave trough. They are very important for a home. Their primary purpose is to prevent large concentrations of water from getting into the foundation, which can cause significant damage and flood a basement. They also protect painted surfaces from flowing water, protect wood, provide a means to collect rainwater, and reduce erosion, which can damage valuable landscaping.
Rain gutters come in different shapes and sizes. They are typically five to six inches deep. Most types seen on homes are externally visible, along the edge of the fascia. However, there are other types such as a box gutter, which are hidden within the structure of the roof. They can also be protected by gutter covers, screens, or filters, which are added above them to keep debris out.
Rain gutters can be constructed from a variety of
different materials including aluminum, galvanized steel, cast iron, vinyl, wood, concrete, and copper. It is important to keep them clear and clean of leaves, twigs, pine cones, needles and other debris to prevent the buildup and overflow of rainwater. Clogged gutters can cause water to pool around a home's foundation causing structural damage.