A couple of weeks ago at a Carlsbad home inspection, rain gutters–or the lack thereof– proved to be a real issue for our buyer.
Rain (a rare occurrence here) had over the years rotted wood soffets and eaves and had badly stained the home’s stucco. This, along with some foundation damage, could have been avoided had rain gutters been installed.
Why bother with rain gutters in San Diego?
Without rain gutters, water has a way of sneaking into those tiny cracks and crevices–and could truly make the difference between owning an asset versus a money pit. Rain gutters not only protect you from getting doused with water when youn step outside, but also protect the integrity of your home from undesired water intrusion.
Advantages of rain gutters and control of water flow
- Prevent damage to siding and stucco.
- Prevent staining on brick and stonework.
- Preserve overhead garage doors and exterior doors from damage.
- Stabilize soil and the home’s foundation.
- Prevent sidewalks, patios and driveways from settling and landscaping from erosion.
Correct installation and maintenance of rain gutters
Rain glutters need to be installed correctly in order to work and close attention need to be paid to the pitch, which should slope one inch for every ten feet. Otherwise water will pool, spill over and possibly tear gutter away from its mooring. You can easily test your gutters by running water from a hose into the gutters and insuring that it only escapes via the downspout–which should carry water several feet from the foundation.
As for maintenance, make sure gutters and downspout are clear of all leaves, debris and shingle residue. If you have a two story home or don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, you should be able to have it done professionally.
Finally, the proper installation of rain gutters should be a consideration when buying a home–or factor it in as an eventual expense after your purchase!