Why do old houses not have gutters?

Gutters weren't always as common as they are now. In fact, they weren't commonly installed on residential homes until the mid-1900s. If your home was built a while ago — say 75-100 years or so — it's possible that they just weren't installed because that wasn't what builders did.

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At Werner Roofing, we believe that gutters are one of the most important parts of a roofing system. But, as a homeowner, you may realize that your home doesn’t have any — which may cause you to worry that it’s missing some much-needed protection from the elements. Whether you just moved into a new house without gutters, or you’ve been living in one for a while, here’s all the information you need to know, including what gutters are, why your home might not have them, and common signs you should get them installed.

Does Your House Really Need Gutters?

All that said, gutters seem like a beneficial feature to have — but does your house really need them? The short answer is: probably, but not always. For many houses, having no gutters can lead to a whole slew of problems. For others, it doesn’t make a difference at all. It all depends on factors like the build of your home, the location of your home, and what kinds of water-related issues your home experiences.

What Are Gutters, and What Do They Do?

Before you decide whether you should install gutters right away or leave your home the way it is for a while, it’s first important to understand what gutters are and what they do. Simply put, gutters direct rain away from a home. They catch water from rain and melting snow as it runs down the slope of a roof. Then, gutters direct that collected water into a downspout, or drain, where it’s safely directed away from the home, preventing costly exterior damage.

Gutters work to do a number of things, like:

Prevent a home’s foundation from eroding

Prevent a home’s basement from flooding

Prevent water damage to a home’s siding and exterior

Prevent the growth of mold and mildew

Protect nearby landscaping

3 Reasons Your House Might Not Have Gutters

Another key component in figuring out if your home needs gutters or not is determining the reason why it doesn’t currently have them. That might clue you in on whether gutters are necessary, or if there’s a valid reason your home was built without. Here are three common reasons your house might not have gutters:

1. Your Roof Has a Steep Slope

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If your home’s roof has a very steep slope and long overhang, it might already be working to sufficiently direct rainwater away from your house. Steep roofs allow rain and snow to slide off more easily, and if your overhang extends more than a foot past the side of your home, you’re unlikely to experience much damage from the displaced rainwater.

2. You Live in an Arid Environment

You don’t see many homes with gutters in places with arid climates, like Arizona and Utah. That’s because there isn’t much rain to protect those homes against. While these places may receive a few heavy rains per year, it’s not enough to warrant the installation and upkeep that gutter systems require.

3. Your Home Is Very Old

Gutters weren’t always as common as they are now. In fact, they weren’t commonly installed on residential homes until the mid-1900s. If your home was built a while ago — say 75-100 years or so — it’s possible that they just weren’t installed because that wasn’t what builders did. After learning why your home doesn’t have gutters, you might have more of an idea on whether you need to install them or not. For instance, if your roof has a steep slope and/or you live in an arid environment, it’s likely you won’t need them anytime soon, if ever. However, if your house doesn’t have gutters simply because it’s very old, it may be time for some important upgrades.

3 Signs That Your House Doesn’t Have Gutters, But Should

If you’re still unsure about whether your house needs gutters or not, your best bet is to speak with a residential roofing contractor you trust. They’ll give an honest, professional opinion about whether your home could benefit from them or not — and they’ll usually provide that consultation for free. In the meantime, however, make sure to look out for these three signs that your house doesn’t have gutters, but should:

1. Your Basement Floods

If your basement floods once, you might write it off as a fluke. But if your basement floods more than once, even just a little bit, you probably need gutters. A home with no gutters enables water to pour directly down from your roof to your foundation. Any small cracks or pores in your foundation can let that water into your basement, which causes flooding. With gutters, that water can be effectively directed into a downspout and away from your home, preventing more devastating, costly damages to your living space.

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2. You Have Rotted or Moldy Siding

Rotted or moldy siding is a key sign that water isn’t being pushed far enough away from your home’s exterior. Instead, it’s rolling down your roof and onto the sides of your home. Then, that water becomes trapped behind the siding, causing rotting and mold that can negatively affect your home’s structural integrity, appearance, and health. Installing gutters can alleviate this problem. See, most of today’s siding products are able to take water head-on, but not from above. So, by using gutters to capture water that’s coming from above, all areas are protected, and your family can stay safe, dry, and healthy. Noticing wide or deep divots in the ground next to your home, or in your landscaping? Those troughs or divots are caused by the constant pour of water onto the ground from the height of your roof. They’re both a sign that you’re getting a good amount of rainfall or snowmelt, and that you need gutters to direct it further away from your home. In this circumstance, gutters are a necessary solution. They’ll help eliminate those troughs and divots, leaving you with a more picturesque yard and a stronger, longer-lasting foundation.

Get Expert Gutter Installation from Werner Roofing

Is your house missing gutters, and suffering because of it? Contact Werner Roofing. Our team offers expert gutter installation services to ensure your home is equipped with the gutters it needs during this rainy season, and many more to come. Give our team a call at (616)844-5382 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation quote.

wernerroofing.com - My House Has No Gutters. What Should I Do? - Werner Roofing

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