Any structure that deals with water must have or be connected to a gutter regardless of the source. Otherwise, excess water will look for another path to flow through. Most of the time, this path isn’t supposed to convey fluids, so they get damaged. If the gutter is too small or clogged, water might spill and wreak the same havoc along its path.
That’s precisely the purpose of gutters on the house. Rainwater or snowmelt flowing on your roof must be carried to the ground and into the community sewer without causing damage along its path. Various kinds of problems may arise if your roof gutter is poorly installed or broken. If that’s the case, imagine what could happen to a house without gutters. Let’s find out.
What happens if your roof has no gutters?
Do houses need gutters? The water damage your property might sustain from lack of roof gutters will depend on many factors. But one thing is for sure. You should never take it lightly. There’s a likelihood of losing your entire building if you don’t take action and have a professional roofer like Muller Exteriors install your gutters. That may sound exaggerated, but that’s the truth.
Leak
During a thunderstorm that comes with strong gusts of wind, rainwater dropping on the edge of your roof can easily be blown upwards and into your roof’s underside. It will seep into the roof deck or directly into your attic. If left unattended, the moisture will invite all sorts of insects and molds, sometimes even bigger animals, such as birds and rats, looking for a damp place to take refuge.
Wall and Window Damage
Your roof extends at least a meter or two from the exterior wall to prevent rainwater from splashing against the siding and windows. Apart from this safe distance, it would help if you had something to catch rainwater to keep splashes minimal enough to cause damage such as rot and mold growth.
Weak Foundation
Don’t underestimate the volume of water that your roof catches and drops to the ground. A half-inch of rain on a 100 sqft roof can produce 30 gallons of water. It may not look serious in itself, but even on a regular rainy day, your roof can catch several times that amount. Imagine pouring that around your house, non-stop, for hours. Either all that water floods your yard or seeps into the ground. Either way that can weaken the soil holding your building’s foundation together. And that could spell disaster.
Damaged Fascia
The fascia board is the plank that runs along the roofline. It locks the ends of the rafters and prevents water from leaking into the roof’s underside. The gutter also runs along the roofline right in front of the fascia board. If your roof doesn’t have a gutter, odds are rainwater will trickle down the fascia board and cause it to rot over time.
How to Fix a Broken Gutter
A gutter system consists of multiple components connected by bolts, rivets, and adhesives. Any connections can break off and create leaks when struck by a fallen tree branch or large hail. Depending on the gutter’s material, rust can also be a cause of concern. When left unattended, rust can poke a hole in the gutter.
The good news is today’s gutter systems consist of more corrosion-resistant and more durable materials. Some are even non-metal but just as strong and long-lasting. So, if you have a new house or you’ve just had your roof renovated, chances are it has one of those new gutters and has a longer functional lifespan.
That said, your gutter still requires TLC to serve its purpose well. And when it gets damaged or broken, make sure to do the necessary gutter repair right away to prevent the leak from wreaking havoc. Leaving your roof’s underside or walls damp all the time could lead to mold growth and other issues that harm your house’s structural integrity, aesthetics, and value.
To fix a broken gutter, all you need to do is trace when the leak is coming from and what is causing it. You may be surprised by just how a simple issue like a loose brace could cause so much water damage to your home. It’s also likely that you are dealing with a far worse problem, such as the whole gutter system is already falling apart. In that case, you need to replace it right away before it crumbles altogether and cause an accident.
When to Get the Experts Involved
If the problem is just a cracked elbow or missing bracket, you can fix it by replacing the component in question. For instance, if the repair involves a large section like the entire downspout, it’s time to call gutter installation experts in Chicago like Muller Exteriors. Don’t risk DIY, especially if you don’t have any background in handyman jobs. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with the same issues shortly after.
Getting a professional involved is always the smartest move when planning a significant gutter installation or replacement project. While it may cost you more, but you can be sure of the craftsmanship. Working at height also takes enough training and experience to carry out safely. Roofing companies have all the necessary safety gear and repair equipment that you most likely don’t have around.
