The Things That Determine If Your House Needs a Gutter

Water isn't the only thing a gutter can catch; it can also be leaves, shingle debris, and even critters. It may occur to you that the gutter is a pain to clean up, even if doing so is only as frequent as once or twice a year. A gutter cover is always an option, keeping everything but the runoff away from the gutter. Then again, wouldn't it be more prudent to go gutter-less?

It's possible to not install a gutter at all, provided that your roof meets the conditions deemed ideal by roofing experts. Aside from living in a dry area, you may not need a gutter if the overhang extends long enough to prevent water from seeping into the foundation. The landscape is also taken into account; a downward gradient toward the street gutter will channel water farther from the house. Many homes in the U.S. don't have gutters, but not all of them have met these ideal conditions.

A professional can look at your home and determine whether or not you need a gutter. Unless these conditions can be met, you're better off installing a gutter and a gutter cover while you're at it. Either way, you won't have to worry about debris getting stuck on the gutter.