Don't Forget Your Gutters

Gutters are one of the most important parts of your home, and if they’re doing their job right, you probably won’t notice them at all. Gutters are your home’s first and best line of defense against water damage from rain, so it’s vital that they are well maintained and kept in good working order.  A gutter system that is taken care of will last decades, so don’t let them go neglected.

Gutters are so important that they can actually make your home more attractive and valuable..  Let’s take a look at five ways that gutters add value to your home.

1. Get more on appraisal and closing

If you are looking to sell your home or secure a collateralized loan, you want to get the highest appraised value possible.  Though they aren’t as immediately noticeable as a fresh paint job or new home addition, buyers and lenders alike expect gutters to be in good shape and will immediately notice if they are damaged or not functioning properly.

In fact, home appraisers have reported that lenders won’t even consider a loan on a property without properly functioning gutters and downspouts. Gutters are essential to the health of a property, so neglected gutters will ultimately have a detrimental effect on the value of your home.

2. Increase curb appeal

Gutters don’t have to be boring or invisible!  Modern gutter manufacturers offer a huge variety of colors and textures, which means that they can be used to enhance the aesthetics of your home’s exterior.  They can be used to create accent and personality, which will enhance your home’s curb appeal.

The term “curb appeal” refers to the first impression that visitors have when seeing your house for the first time.  A home with good curb appeal will be more attractive to potential buyers, and incorporating a new gutter system will only serve to enhance their positive impression.

3. Protect your foundation

One of the most important ways that gutters add value to your home is by keeping the structure safe against moisture and the elements.  Damaged gutters will cause water to accumulate around the foundation of your home which can cause basement flooding, mold infestation, and dry rot.  One of the biggest dangers to your foundation occurs when water seeps into the earth around your house and then freezes during the winter months.  As the ice expands, it exerts pressure on the foundation which in time can cause it to buckle and crack. 

The cost of repair for a damaged foundation is astronomical, so properly functioning and well-maintained gutters add value to your house by keeping it safe and saving you money on repairs.

4. Protect your exterior

One of the biggest values afforded by a solid gutter system is that it keeps your exterior and building materials safe from damage.  Gutters not only protect your foundation, they also keep excess water off of the exterior walls of your home.  Properly installed gutters will lay flush with the edge of your roof and catch rainwater as it rolls off, keeping it off of your walls.  When gutters aren’t working properly, moisture gathers on your house’s exterior, causing rot in wood and peeling paint.

Gutters add to and protect the value of your home by ensuring that your exterior will look great for years.

5. Keep your landscaping safe

You take pride in how your property looks, and your landscaping is a huge part of the attractiveness of your home and land.  Unfortunately, uncontrolled water spillage from rain will inevitably lead to soil erosion, effectively destroying the landscape that you’ve worked so hard to maintain.

Gutters provide the added value to your home of ensuring that water is properly diverted and drained, sparing your landscape in the process.

Gutters are not only vital to the health of your property, they also add a tremendous amount of value.  However, in order to see the benefits, gutters must be properly installed, maintained, and regularly cleaned.  Give us a call today, and see the difference from professional gutter service from DanDan the Gutterman!