Gutters and foundations are two vital components of a home that serve the same purpose – keeping your home dry. Constant dampness in a basement or on top of a slab foundation can lead to unpleasant odors, peeling paint, deformed or decaying wood, mold growth, and structural damage. These issues frequently demand expensive repairs and can lower the value of your home.
Continue reading to learn how gutters and foundations function together to keep your home dry.
How Do Gutters Protect Your Home Foundation?
Gutters are your foundation’s first line of defense against standing water. They channel rainwater and snow melts into a downspout, safely directing the water away from your house into a broader drainage system. The downspout should discharge water at least 10 feet from the foundation to effectively run water away from the foundation. Your home and foundation are at risk when gutters are missing, cracked, or clogged.
That said, your home’s foundation is not the only thing gutters protect, though it is the most crucial.
What Else Do Gutters Protect?
- They protect against soil erosion. If the soil around your foundation gets exposed to too much water, it will gradually erode, exposing and damaging your foundation.
- They protect the siding from damage. Too much water on your siding can cause rotting, paint damage, and staining, reducing your home’s curb appeal and adding to your workload.
- They prevent mold and pests: Pooling water around the home foundation can be a breeding ground for wood-burrowing pests, mold, and fungi, which can be a threat to the structural integrity of your home.
Now that you understand how vital gutters are let’s take a look at what is more critical; installing gutters or repairing a foundation
The Cost of New Gutters vs. Repairing a Foundation
Gutters and downspouts, two very different vital elements of most homes, cost around $3,000 when professionally installed for an average-sized U.S. home under 2,400 sq ft. Costs for a gutter installation project can start as low as $1,000, or $7 per linear foot, and go as high as $5,000, or $33 per linear foot.
On the other hand, foundation repair usually ranges between $2,000 and $7,500, with a national average of $4,500. However, severe foundation problems can cost between $15,000 and $25,000.
The bottom line: Installing gutters as a precautionary measure is far less expensive than dealing with the devastating costs of repairing your foundation after too much water damage.
Call Joe Gutters Today
Don’t let a lack of gutters or clogged or damaged gutters cause damage to your home. Let Joe Gutters help you install and maintain your gutters today so your home will be long-lasting and appealing for years to come. Contact us at Joe Gutters NOW to receive a free estimate.