The Metairie, Marrero, and Gretna area is no stranger to a little—or a lot—of rain. And too much-uncontrolled rainwater can be a danger to your home. A proper gutter system will divert rainwater from your home and help prevent serious damage.

Not having a rain gutter system can cause many dangerous problems; here are the five most common.

Flooded Basement

The National Flood Insurance Program lists flooding as the nation’s most common and costly disaster problem for homeowners; it causes millions of dollars in damage yearly. Because rain gutters direct water away from your property, they prevent water from collecting and seeping into the cracks and crevices of your home and flooding your basement. They also protect your home from the mold and pest infestations often associated with flooding.

Cracked Foundation

This might be the single most costly type of damage that can happen to your home. It’s an enormous step beyond a flooded basement. Foundation damage can occur when excess water infiltrates your foundation and weakens the concrete. This compromises the structural integrity of your home and leads to several other problems. With rain gutters, the collected water stays far away from your home, keeping your foundation safe even during a particularly rainy season.

Damaged Exterior

Without a gutter system, rainwater will fall from your roof and run down the side of your exterior. If this happens often enough, it can cause your paint to chip and peal. It can also dampen your walls and rot your fascia or any other wooden surfaces (like doors and window frames). Damp walls can develop mold and create a severe health risk for you and your loved ones. A damaged exterior can eventually jeopardize your home’s structural integrity as well.

Eroded Landscape

Picture this: rain is pouring down, and the (dramatically larger) drops from your roof are dripping directly onto your precious petunias. The flowerbed quickly becomes flooded, and you see them floating away after a couple of hours. A rain gutter system could have easily prevented this from happening!

Whether gardening is your hobby or you paid someone to create a beautiful garden, all the hard work that went into building and maintaining your landscape could be washed away. Garden erosion is caused by excess water running over the soil, removing the essential nutrients for plant growth and leaving you a muddy mess. With gutters, you can direct water to a specific area or even collect it in a tank and use it to water your garden when things dry out.

Empty Wallet

All these problems add up to one thing: an empty wallet. While installing new rain gutters can seem pricey, it’s nothing compared to the cost a system will save you in a large storm. Severe damage to your home will put a dent in your wallet and have you wishing you had just installed gutters. If you’re investing in your home, you should invest in it fully—and protect it (and your wallet) with a rain gutter system.

More than installing rain gutters is required; your system should be in good condition and installed correctly. After all, if they’re clogged, pitched incorrectly, or otherwise damaged, they won’t be much help. The experienced and professional team at Joe’s Gutters & Patios can install or repair your rain gutter system so it’s properly working and sufficiently protecting your home. We're always using new materials and methods to make sure your gutters are the best and longest-lasting.