Why Are Gutters Important for Your Home in Seattle, Washington?

Knowing which home repairs are vital for the safety of your home is paramount for homeowners. For example, while a maintenance task like repainting can often wait, ceiling repairs or wiring problems must be immediately resolved. You might wonder where home gutters rank in the hierarchy of repair priorities or if you even need them. After all, if they’re not necessary, shouldn't you take advantage of having one less thing to worry about?

Gutters are as essential to your home as your roof or front door. Without them, homes in particularly wet climates like ours would have far more structural problems, foundation issues, exterior paint damage and soil erosion.

Gutters Are a Required Home Feature in Seattle, Washington

According to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ [IAPMO] 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code [UPC], gutters are a mandatory home addition if a home has steep-slope roofs and is located in a geographic region that meet specific rainfall requirements (like the Puget Sound area). Due to the Pacific Northwest’s unrelenting and frequent onslaught of rain, safeguarding homes with a secure water run-off system is vital.

While houses in dryer climates, such as the U.S. Southwest, can get away with not having gutters due to their low annual rainfall, homes in areas with high precipitation levels require protection – especially Washington, which faces constant rain year-round. Without gutters, your home could sustain severe damage.

This requirement depends on your district, as those living in the greater Puget Sound area might not fall under this mandate. While the IAPMO mandates gutter installation, the International Code Council’s [ICC] International Plumbing Code (IPC) does not. Some jurisdictions might also enforce different versions or amendments of the Plumbing Code. Knowing your district's correct codes and requirements will ensure your home is safe against any weather. If you’re not sure what the code requirements are for your home, feel free to contact the team at Chet’s Roofing & Construction Inc. for more information.

Gutters Protect Against Water Damage

If your home doesn’t have gutters, water can gather at its foundation and cause damage to the footing and foundation, resulting in substantial structural problems. Not only can water weaken your home’s foundation, but it can also penetrate the interior. As previously stated, gutters protect your home from flooding. Without them, water can infiltrate your home and flood the basement or crawl space, ruining your belongings.

Mold Prevention

Gutters are your home’s primary defense against mold and mildew, especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest. Since they prevent water from building up near your roof and siding, they greatly reduce the likelihood of leaks, so mold doesn’t have the chance to form.

Soil Erosion and Home Gutters

Gutters help guide rainwater into a drainage system. Without them, the water running down all the sides of your home will carry topsoil away from your home, expose your foundation and ruin the landscaping and vegetation surrounding it. This may not seem like a big deal if your home is surrounded by concrete (i.e., streets, sidewalks and driveways), but persistent puddling and standing water can cause a variety of pest problems and damage, even to a seemingly solid material like concrete.

The integrity of your home is always at risk without gutters to direct Washington’s year-long barrage of rain elsewhere, so it’s crucial to have them installed in your home.

Is There a Best Type of Gutter?

Most homeowners want the most reliable, longest-lasting gutters that require the least amount of maintenance possible. K-line aluminum gutters, as opposed to traditional seamed gutters, eliminate seams where blockages can form, meaning you won’t have to empty them as often. They can be custom bent to your home’s specifications to guarantee the best drainage results. Since they are all connected continuously, K-line gutters also provide your home with a sleeker aesthetic.

Homeowners in Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound Area Should Call Chet’s Roofing & Construction for Professional Installation of K-Line Gutters

We at Chet’s Roofing will install K-line gutters on your home efficiently and with care. Our installation experts will work hard to make sure your home is safe against everything Washington can throw at it. Call (877) 611-1514 today or visit our website for a free estimate.