Why Gutters?

Just about every home needs the protection gutters provide.

Rain gutters are highly recommended for most homes because they redirect rainwater away from the home, protecting against water damage to the foundation, the home’s exterior, landscape, and concrete.

Gutters can only work when they are free of debris. To keep debris and critters out of your home’s gutters, it is imperative to have a gutter guard system that keeps the water flowing, regardless of the foliage and debris laying on top. Since Consumer Reports’ 2008 study, that was published in 2010, where they determined the best gutter protection is a stainless steel mesh, advances in the mesh designs with incorporated channels provide the best protection and allow the free flow and capture of rainwater from the roof.

Trench Lines: Trench lines are formed by water coming off of an unprotected roof. Over time, the soil gets washed away from the home and no longer supports the home’s foundation, leading to very expensive repairs.

Clay Soils: Starting on the west side of Greater San Antonio, the more you travel east, the higher the percent of clay soil. Contrary to popular belief, clay soils do not actually absorb water like a sponge, instead, water easily gets between the soil molecules. Since water cannot be compressed, the clay soil molecules are pushed outwardly in all directions and, therefore, weaken the soil’s ability to support weight. This is easily demonstrated with the differences on walking on dry and wet clay soils. When it is dry, no footprint is left because the soil’s molecules are all highly bound together. During times when moisture is introduced to the soil, the molecules are pushed out and the soil can no longer support the same weight and we sink in the mud, leaving footprints behind. The outer perimeter weight-bearing walls are the home’s heaviest. Without gutters, you are just asking for foundation problems. Gutters are a whole lot less expensive than foundation repair.

Two big national gutter companies gave me quotes for over $9,000 to put gutters with gutter guards on my home. New Again Home Services did the same job using the same materials for $3646. I will definitely be calling New Again for my other home projects. -Carlos H.