Gutters and downspouts may be the most underrated and overlooked part of your home, but both are actually very important components of your house. Both gutters and downspouts work day and night, rainstorm after rainstorm to protect your home and the belongings that are contained within it from water damage. While it may not be the most exciting job, it is an important one! To ensure they are working properly it is crucial to regularly inspect them and clean them.

The purpose of having gutters placed on your home is for them to collect rainwater and carry the water to your downspouts. If your gutters are not working properly, rainwater will seep into your home and cause rot, mold and mildew damage.

Like a super hero that needs their sidekick, gutters can’t protect your home on their own, they need help from their sidekick, the downspout. The downspouts move the water that has been collected by the gutters away from your home’s roof, exterior walls, windows, and foundation. It is very important that the downspouts direct the water as far away from the outside of your home as possible, this can be accomplished in several different ways including:

• Placing an angled ramp or splash block at the bottom of the downspouts to stop water from pooling at the bottom of the downspouts and direct it away from the exterior of your home.

• Attaching a flexible hose or downspout drain to move the water a longer distance away from your home. This type of system can be placed above or below the ground.

• Installing a rain barrel at the end of your downspout to collect the water. This allows you to conserve the water and use it at a later time for watering your gardens and other landscaping.

To maintain your home's gutters and downspouts and ensure that they will work properly during the next big rainstorm you should:

• Regularly clean them and make sure that debris like leaves, sticks and animal nests are removed. Those items will cause clogs that will not allow the water to move or drain properly.

• Take your garden hose and flush out the gutters and downspouts to make sure that there are no leaks.

• Inspect them to make sure that they are securely attached to your home. If they are loose, they may tear or blow off during the next windy day or heavy rain storm.

If you need more information about gutters or downspouts or would like help choosing the right system for your home, contact the experts at Window Nation. Our professionals will take the time to help you to choose the gutter system that will work best to protect your home from water damages!