Gutters: inexpensive money-savers

How much money did your gutters save you last year? Most people don't give much thought to their home's gutters, but if they're functioning properly, they could be saving you water damage costs every year. Dealing with water intrusion can be expensive and if your house has a basement, cost can be skyrocket into the stratosphere very quickly. Leaks that go undetected for a while may even lead to mold and mildew remediation and those services are rarely cheap. Perhaps it's time to pay a little more attention to those rarely notices money-saving gutters on your home.

Your home's surface water drainage plan

Surface water allowed to accumulate around your home's foundation can eventually find a way to pass through just about any waterproofing barrier. State Farm Insurance states that surface water is one of the four primary causes of a wet basement and your gutter system and exterior grading are the major defenses for controlling that water. A home's gutters and downspouts should be inspected several times each year for any damage or debris clogs that may cause water to leak or overflow from the designed drainage system. Many homeowners don't realize what a good investment this drainage system can be until they have to pay for the damages caused by it not operating properly.

Gutter covers: protection from debris

If you live in an area with a lot of large mature trees, you may want to consider having gutter covers installed on your home. Leaves and dead branches can be major causes of clogs, and installing covers can save you from having to climb a ladder after every strong storm. Covers are designed to keep debris out and can normally be installed in less than a day. Pricing can vary depending on size and style, but a good average cost to budget would be about $2.20 a linear foot for the materials. Installation costs can fluctuate based on job-site conditions, but a range of about $.60 to $.80 a linear foot should be a fairly accurate average.

Gutters as a design feature?

Your roof drainage system can be inconspicuous or the first item guests notice when driving up to your home. Many homeowners choose aluminum because it's budget friendly and available in a wide array of colors. The numerous color shades offered can allow an almost perfect match with your trim and fascia boards. Five inch aluminum guttering can average about $7.00 to $9.00 a linear foot for materials and installation.

If you want to use your gutters as an accent to complement the exterior appearance of your home, consider installing copper. They are available in several sizes and designs such as traditional half-round or the more conventional K-style. Copper can be a little more expensive than aluminum, but usually develops a beautiful patina as it ages. You can use $12.00 to $16.00 a linear foot as an average to budget for copper.

Vinyl can be a good choice if you're on a tight budget or want to do your own installation. They're available in several colors and are considered to be very DIY friendly. You may be able to install your own vinyl gutters for less than $2.00 a linear foot.