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How Gutters Can Save You Money
If you've lived in Georgia for an extended amount of time, you know that the summers are long, the air is humid, and the pop-up storms are frequent. There's nothing quite like a good summer storm...except for when your rain gutters aren't able to withstand the downpours. To keep damage to a minimum and savings to a maximum, you need gutters that are installed properly and regularly maintained. Whether it be eliminating repair costs or collecting rainwater to save money on your water bill, your gutters play more of a role than you might think.
Why Gutters Are Important
The primary goal of your gutters is to divert water away from your home. This is a big deal as gutters that don't accomplish this goal could be the cause of hundreds or even thousands of dollars of repairs to your home. Roof strain, mold, collapsing gutters, and structural damage to your home are all possibilities if you don't maintain your gutters. Some common reasons for insufficient gutters include:
- Loose gutters. When loose, the gutters eventually sag, causing water to spill over the gutter, pull away from the roof edge, and ultimately damage your home.
- Improper slope of gutters. This prevents the water from flowing downwards and exiting through the downspout.
- Gutters that are too small for the house. This results in an overflow of water that runs down your home instead of away from your home.
- Excessive accumulation of debris. Clogged gutters prevent the proper flow of water and can lead to several issues including standing water, mold, and weight strain on your roof.
- Broken or damaged gutters. Leaks, complete breaks, or other similar issues prevent the gutter from efficiently moving water to the right place.
Rainwater Collection
If you have fully functional gutters, you have an awesome opportunity to save money on your water bill through rainwater collection. Take advantage of this natural resource by using it to replace typical water usage when possible. Here are some different ways to use rainwater!
Flushing Toilets
On average, a toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water for every flush. If the average person flushes 5 times a day, and the average household has approximately 3 people in it, that means that in one week, the average household uses 168 gallons of water on flushing alone. According to Gardeners Supply Company, half an inch of rain falling on a 1,000 square-foot roof will yield 300 gallons of water. Just collect the rainwater, place buckets of the collected water in your bathroom, and poor some in every time you flush.
Water Plants
You would be surprised how much water you use just when turning on the hose to water your garden. Rain also has traces of nitrates which is great for plant growth. Use your collected rainwater and get to watering that beautiful garden! It's a win-win.
Wash Vehicles
Once again, your hose sprays more water than you realize. When you're washing your car, you may leave it running while you're scrubbing which will continue to add extra dollars to your water bill. Instead, use buckets of collected rainwater to wash and rinse your car.
What Next
It's time to take the leap. Before you invest in a rain barrel, be sure your gutters are in tip-top shape. At Trotter Roofing and Gutters, we install, repair, and clean gutters. Fill out our form or contact us at 404-610-9100.
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