Gutters Are Necessary

• Rain gutters are often overlooked when new homeowners purchase and install the items their homes require. But gutters solve a couple of serious problems. Rain gutters are designed to keep the rain from seeping into the roof of the house or into the foundation. They do this by collecting rain water and channeling it away from the base of the home, where the water can seep into already saturated soil and collect in the nooks and crannies of the foundation blocks. All gutters have a downspout attached that moves the runoff water away from the base of the house.
  
  

Clean Your Rain Gutters Regularly

• Rain gutters also serve the purpose of collecting leaves and other debris that might otherwise sit forever on the rooftop until they rot. Rotting debris left on roofs can eventually cause the shingles to rot as well, forming moisture pockets on the roof that can eventually create holes and potential rain damage to the interior of the home. Gutters collect these leaves and debris. The only problem is that the gutters need to be cleaned out on a regular basis so that the rain water can continue to flow through them.
  
  

Different Sizes and Styles

• Gutters can be found in three sizes; three-, four- and five-inch wide versions. The larger the gutter channel, the less likely the gutter is to get blocked up with rotting leaves and debris. However, the wider versions are more expensive to purchase and install. There are seamless gutters as well that do not have any breaks in them. As a result, they do not dribble rain water in the wrong place, nor are they likely to get clogged up with leaves as easily. These gutters require professional installation and are much more expensive than the seamed gutters that the average homeowner can install by himself.