7395 Cross County Rd., North Charleston, SC 29418

What Happens to a Home with No Gutters?

Every homeowner wants their home to have longevity and value. But when it comes to gutters, many homeowners are unaware of the importance gutters play in maintaining a home’s structural integrity and resale value.

Old gutters can stop working for many reasons—age, rust, fractures, and so on. Without a properly functioning gutter system, your house can experience water damage, mold, mildew, standing water (i.e. mosquitos and pests), and perhaps the most dreaded words a homeowner can hear: foundation cracks.

In this article, we’ll discuss the type of things that actually happen to a home when its gutters are no longer functioning properly—and why you’ll want to consider gutter replacement ASAP if your old system is no longer doing its job.

Things That Can Happen To a Home Without Gutters

#1 – Water Damage

One of the most common issues that occurs when a home has no gutters is water infiltration. When there is no system installed to direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, it can cause serious damage over time. Moisture can seep into the walls of your home, resulting in rotting framing and insulation damage that also leads to mold growth. Replacing or repairing your gutters now can avert costly repairs down the line.

A picture of What Happens to a Home with No Gutters? with Holy City Gutterworks

 

#2 – Mold & Mildew

Another issue that arises with a lack of gutters is mold and mildew growth due to moisture buildup around the foundation and walls of your home. Mold spores thrive in damp environments and can spread quickly throughout your home if not addressed promptly. This is especially concerning for those suffering from allergies or asthma since exposure to mold spores can trigger an attack or worsen existing symptoms significantly. But you don’t need to have breathing problems to be concerned about mold in your home. It’s not “just” a health hazard, it can also lead to extensive, costly property damage over time.

#3 – Standing Water (and Pests)

Unless you have a strategically placed property with an incredibly well-designed landscape drainage system, chances are that standing water will accumulate around the foundation of your home. When there are no gutters on your roof for rainwater runoff, it can pool around your foundation, leading to standing water which attracts pests like mosquitoes or other insects that could cause harm to humans or pets if left unchecked. Additionally, if your roof is flat or has any flat sections, standing water and leaves/dirt/debris can begin to collect if it has nowhere else to flow.

A picture of What Happens to a Home with No Gutters? with Holy City Gutterworks

61 species of mosquitoes have been identified here in South Carolina (including recently, the invasive, aggressive Tiger mosquito) and many can carry West Nile Virus or other diseases. Here in Charleston, standing water is a great environment for mosquitoes to breed in, and without working gutters directing the flow of water away from your home, you’re inviting major pest problems.

#4 – Foundation Cracks

A picture of What Happens to a Home with No Gutters? with Holy City Gutterworks

When excessive amounts of moisture enter the soil surrounding your property’s foundation walls due to a lack of functioning gutters it can cause severe damage over time. The moisture will slowly erode away the soil, leaving your home vulnerable to foundation cracking and settling.

This is one of the most expensive types of damage to repair, so it is important to keep your home well-protected with a working gutter system. A shifting foundation is a short path to serious structural damage to your home, and should be addressed immediately by a professional.

Gutter Replacement is Necessary for Home Maintenance & Longevity

Without gutters, your house is susceptible to water intrusion, mold growth, insect infestations, and even foundation cracking and settling. To avoid costly repairs down the line, we recommend investing in a new gutter system and replacing any old, damaged sections of your existing gutters if needed. Having a well-functioning gutter system can help protect your home’s integrity and ensure that your property remains safe and comfortable for years to come.

While it may seem like a repair that can be put on the back-burner, gutter replacement not only helps avoid significant outlay on major repairs but also safeguards against a major drop in resale value. If you’re trying to sell a property without proper working drainage systems installed around its exterior perimeter areas (i.e., roofline structures), you’re going to find that prospective buyers are going to be significantly less inclined to pursue your property.

Don’t delay. If you don’t want your house falling victim to any of these unfortunate issues then make sure you invest in a new gutter system ASAP so that you don’t have any issues in the near future or down the road.

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