Downspouts & Gutters: Why Proper Water Management Matters

Did you know? If you have a property that’s roughly a quarter of an acre, every time you get an inch of rain you could be receiving approximately 6,230 gallons of water dumped on top of your home and yard. And depending on the size of your home, roughly 1,000 of those gallons could be on your roof alone! With the intense rain events we’ve been having recently in Ohio, it’s clear that water management is a topic that all homeowners should be aware of. That’s why your Fairview team of Cleveland home improvement specialists is here to help, with detailed and actionable information about how downspouts and gutters can help to improve the stability of your home and property.

The Important Role Of Gutters and Downspouts

Where does all that rainwater go? Put simply, your home’s gutters, downspouts, property grading and additional water diversion features help to corral and contain rainwater. That is the gutter system’s sole job: collecting water from the roof and directing it safely away from the home. The gutters and downspouts work together to achieve the most efficient drainage results. And how well they function comes down to proper installation and maintenance.

Gutters

Gutters collect rainwater flowing down the roof. They then channel it toward designated drainage points that then enter into downspouts. Gutters must be the correct size to handle the amount of water coming off of your roof. Larger homes or longer roof expanses may require higher-capacity guttering systems. 

Downspouts

Downspouts carry collected water vertically from the gutters toward the ground. There, it needs to be directed away from the foundation. This can be done in countless ways–your Cleveland home improvement specialists can recommend the best method for your property and preferences. Higher-capacity gutters will require larger downspouts to ensure proper water flow and prevent backup. 

Proper water management through gutters and downspouts protects your home's structural integrity by diverting rainwater at the very least 3 to 4 feet–but ideally 10 feet–away from the foundation. Thanks to the diversion of hundreds of gallons of water, gutters and downspouts can also help to protect the roofline, siding, landscaping and other areas of the home from water intrusion, erosion, and excess moisture. They may seem like just any other fixture on your home but can play a pivotal role in protecting the investment you’ve made in your property. 

Why Water Management Around Your Home Matters

Rain water is a force of nature–it can cause real damage to your home and property if not properly directed and managed. Uncontrolled roof runoff can affect multiple areas of a property, from a compromised roof, foundation or siding system to erosion that leads to hardscaping and landscaping damage, pooling water, and pest infestations. Collected water can become a real hazard in winter weather, when it can freeze and present dangerous slipping hazards. Instead of allowing it to repeatedly collect around your house, an effective gutter system works to direct large amounts of water to appropriate drainage locations, keeping excess rain water at bay.

Foundation

When roof runoff repeatedly collects close to the house, it can saturate the soil around the foundation. All that water pooling near the house can lead to soil erosion and structural undermining, increased moisture around foundation walls that leads to mold, mildew and pests, and water finding its way into vulnerable basement or crawl-space areas. Paired with grading, drainage, waterproofing, and other preventive measures, proper rain water management can be one of the most important ways to protect the structure of your home.

Erosion

Without controlled drainage, water can pour directly from the roof onto flower beds and shrubs, causing damage to plants and washing away mulch, soil and other materials. Water that flows around walkways can lead to soil erosion that undermines stability and requires major, very inconvenient repairs. Gutters collect rain water and prevent concentrated runoff while downspouts provide a controlled path for moving it elsewhere.

Siding

Poor drainage can repeatedly expose siding and other exterior components to splashing and moisture. This can lead to permanent dirt and staining, water marks, and even the premature deterioration of certain materials. Repeated overflow from clogged or insufficient gutters can allow moisture to reach vulnerable exterior areas and compromise the protection of your home’s siding and other exterior surfaces.

How can you tell if your home’s gutters are no longer working properly? Clear signs to look out for can include:

• Water overflowing the gutter
• Water running behind the gutter
• Leaking seams
• Sagging sections
• Gutters pulling away from the fascia
• Water spilling over particular areas
• Downspouts backing up
• Water pooling around downspout exits
• Visible erosion beneath the roofline
• Cracks or holes

Apart from clogged gutters, you could also have a guttering system that is damaged or compromised in some way. For instance, older gutters that contain seams will eventually sustain enough use and wear that they will no longer be watertight. Gutters can also be improperly pitched, inadequately sized, or poorly configured, and any of these problems can lead to dramatic water management issues.

Downspout placement and condition matters as well. Instead of simply being a way to move water vertically, downspouts play a key role in proper water management for your home. Performance depends on several factors, such as downspout placement, quantity, and gutter configuration. Considerations that impact how downspouts are installed also include roof area, water volume, discharge location and property grading. A professional installer takes all this into account along with local rainfall averages to evaluate your home and make an informed suggestion. 

Seamless Gutters vs. Sectional Gutters

While you can still find plenty of DIY solutions for the older, sectional style of gutters, seamless gutters are the gold standard. Due to their lack of joints along a run and reduced number of seams overall, they are far more durable. Seamless gutters naturally collect less debris, thanks to their smooth interior. They also reduce the opportunity for leaks along the length of a home’s roof. Beyond the practical considerations, seamless gutters also offer a cleaner, more aesthetic appearance to your home’s exterior. They are custom-fit, on site, and are often available in multiple colors and finishes. In general, aluminum seamless gutters are estimated to last 20 to 30 years while sectional gutters may last 10 to 20 years overall, with the joint sealants and individual sections typically failing much sooner. This leads to additional, ongoing maintenance. While seamless gutters still need to be kept clear and cleaned from time to time, overall maintenance requirements are far less demanding.

Why Professional Gutter Installation Matters

Homeowners may feel that gutter installation should be simple–you just attach the channels to your home and you’re finished, right? The reality is nowhere near as easy, and proper installation involves much more than attaching gutters to the roofline. Cleveland home improvement professionals have to account for a wide range of factors that impact the correct sizing, placement, and configuration of your gutter system. The more complex your roof, the more expertise it will require. Installers may also need to make repairs or adjustments to existing fascia to ensure proper installation and long-lasting functionality. And if you’re pairing a new gutter system with roof installation, it’s a good idea to opt for the same team to handle both.

Improper installation can also lead to long-term issues, such as standing water that pools in the gutter. This can allow pests to invade and debris to collect and cause clogging. Excess water that collects can also end up spilling over the edge during heavy downpours if gutters are not properly installed. Failing to space hangers properly can lead to a lack of support and a compromised gutter system that can then sag or detach under the weight of water and debris. If the drip edge isn’t properly integrated, this can allow water to run behind the channel and rot the fascia board or even impact the roof’s structure. And if seams and joints are not properly installed and sealed, they lead to frequent, persistent leaks that cause a lot of frustration and damage. Finally, non-professional installation may not account for local rainfall levels and result in gutters that cannot handle common rain quantities, leading to water runover and property damage.

On the other hand, professional gutter installers take all the above into account, along with seasonal weather conditions and concerns. The four distinct seasons we experience in Northeast Ohio demand gutter systems that can put up with seasonal debris, heavy precipitation, snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles. Properly sized and installed gutters help to provide a system for managing roof runoff throughout changing conditions, and across seasonal shifts.

Gutter And Downspout Installation From Cleveland Home Improvement Professionals

At Fairview Home Improvement, we’re more than just professional gutter installers–we’re Cleveland home improvement specialists. From roofing and entry door installation to patio enclosures, replacement windows and vinyl siding in Cleveland, we have the skills and products needed to help you beautify and improve your home. Seamless gutters and downspouts are the final touch to boost your home’s curb appeal while also efficiently managing rain water and protecting your property from water damage.

Don't wait for overflowing gutters or pooling water to reveal a drainage problem. Instead, reach out to our professional gutter and downspout installers who can help you to create an effective water-management system designed around your home's roofline, exterior, and drainage needs. From custom seamless gutters to properly placed downspouts, we'll help keep rainwater moving where it belongs. Contact our team today to request an estimate for new or replacement gutters and downspouts.