Gutters are a crucial component of any roofing system. They collect water from your roof and direct it elsewhere to a safer area to drain, which helps prevent water damage and leaking to both your roof and structure. We’ve put together everything you need to know about metal roofing and gutters for your home.
Do Metal Roofs Need Gutters?
While you may see some metal roofing systems installed without gutters, most homeowners tend to install them. Metal roofs alone are designed to shed water like a pro, and most are extremely resistant to the damage that gutters usually prevent for a roof. However, gutters serve the purpose of protecting your home’s foundation, siding, and ground and landscaping surrounding your home — not just your roof. Installing gutters on a metal roof can help you prevent a variety of different issues caused by water, including:
- Keeping excess water away from your home’s foundation, which helps prevents cracks
- Helping to prevent erosion to the sides of and siding on your home
- Preventing water from seeping into basements, crawl spaces, etc.
- Directing water away from the home that can cause mold, mildew, and other unwanted growth
- Reducing freezing in the winter by keeping water away from the home
If you live in an area that is especially prone to heavy amounts of rainfall or snowfall, you’ll likely want to install gutters to help protect your home.
Issues With Gutters & Metal Roofing
It’s clear that gutters are a vital component of protecting your home against water damage, so why is it that some metal roof owners decide to not install them? When you see metal roofing systems installed without gutters, there may be a few reasons why.
- Problem: Gutters can be difficult to install with a metal roof, so it’s important to make sure you are using an experienced and reputable contractor to install them. Installing gutters onto a metal roofing system is quite different than the process used for traditional asphalt shingles. Improper installation can lead to your gutter system being damaged and even ripped off in bad weather conditions.
- Solution: Make sure your contractor is experienced with metal roofing systems before hiring! It’s also important to make sure your contractor is installing your gutters at the correct height — they should be mounted as high as possible to stay close to the roof line and with a slope for drainage. You should also be sure to talk to your Bridger Steel Product Specialist before choosing a gutter system to make sure you are following all product guidelines and recommendations that come with your specific roofing system.
- Problem: Snow and ice can cause damage to a gutter system, especially if your metal roof doesn’t have snow guards to protect it from heavy amounts of snow falling off your roof at one time. This can result in your gutters being ripped off.
- Solution: Installing snow guards on your metal roof is the simple solution to preventing this issue. Snow guards will allow the snow to slowly melt off your roof, rather than “avalanching” all at once.
- Problem: Gutter systems require regular maintenance to ensure they are performing their best. A poorly maintained system can lead to clogs and water building up, which can result in the issues that your gutters are meant to prevent.
- Solution: Each year, or even after heavy storms, check your gutters and remove any debris that can cause clogging. Typically, gutters need to be cleaned once a year to prevent any issues.
Overall, it’s highly recommended that you install a gutter system with any type of roof, including metal roofing. Gutters help to prevent water-related issues and protect your home from those same issues. Make sure to have an experienced professional install your gutters, as well as perform regular maintenance on them so they’re able to perform they way you need them to.
If you have any questions about metal roofing and gutter systems, be sure to get in touch with a Bridger Steel Product Specialist today. Our team of experts can answer any questions and address any concerns you may have about your roofing system and gutters. We can also make product recommendations to ensure you’re getting the right roof for your area. Contact Us today or fill out our Get a Quote form to get started!
