If there’s anything you’ll notice as a newcomer in Texas, it’s that it doesn’t rain so often.
Hopefully, you’re a lover of all things sunny and warm because those are the prevailing atmospheric conditions in this fast-growing state.
On the bright side, the warm and sunny weather is just what you need if you plan on finishing up your roof.
Speaking of needs, you might question the need for a roof gutter when working on your Texas home due to the lack of rainfall.
As you know, that’s actually what this article is about. So, sit back while we shed some light on this.
Here’s if Gutters Are Necessary for Texas:
According to the state building code of Texas, it is generally not necessary for a Texas home to have gutters. But a more in-depth look at this directive reveals that factors like soil type, climatic zones, and foundation strength strongly determine whether or not a gutter is necessary.
Can Your House Be Without Gutters?
A water-draining trough, also known as a gutter, is the channel water from the roof passes through to get to the drainage. This material protects a home and its foundation from water damage.
Gutters are very much a part of a house as much as doors, windows, and shingles but their necessity is often debated among residents of areas that do not experience much rainfall.
I must say, the uncertainty of the need for these fixtures by residents living in dry and arid areas is well founded.
However, it is not advisable to do away with gutters just because low rainfall is experienced all through a region or area.
For your house to be without gutters, there must be some safety boxes that you must check to ensure that you’re well protected from damages caused by the elements.
- How much rain falls per year in your area?
Not all parts of Texas are characterized by low rainfall. Some parts of this state experience a decent amount of rain on an annual basis, while other parts experience little to no rain.
For instance, the Trans Pecos Region of Texas experiences a little over 15 inches of rain every year, earning it its spot as the driest region in the state.
So, before deciding to forego gutters on your roof do some research on the climate of your region.
- What does a professional say?
Alongside referencing your local building code, you might want to get a professional’s opinion on whether or not you’ll need a gutter on your Texas home.
Most professionals would recommend that you get a roof gutter regardless of how much rain falls in your region.
It is worthy of note that roof gutters come in handy not just when it rains but when it snows as well.
So, make sure you think things through thoroughly before deciding that your home does not need these fixtures.
- Is your home’s drainage super efficient?
How well does water around your home drain during the rainy season or toward the end of winter when the snow starts to melt?
If you can give a positive answer to the above question then you might not need a roof gutter.
A home with a fairly efficient drainage system will have pools of water around its perimeter when snow melts or rain falls.
In situations like this, a roof gutter is necessary to better channel water and help improve the efficiency of the drainage system.
Also, a professional should be contacted to inspect the drainage.
- How strong is your home’s structure/foundation?
What gutters do is channel water away from the foundation of a building.
When a gutter is absent from your home, your foundation will become vulnerable to water damage. Consider the structure of your house and how strong it is when deciding if you can do without gutters.
Are Gutters Required in Texas?
Texas is a state with all-encompassing weather conditions. The climate here can go from being desert hot to icy cold depending on the region you reside.
However, compared to other states in the United States, Texas does not experience long or prolonged wet seasons. Hence, the ruling by building associations in the state on the irrelevancy of roof gutters.
So, gutters are not required in Texas but you can add them on your home regardless of the directive of the building code. You have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by doing this.
Roof gutters are one of those investments whose benefits aren’t so obvious but they have immense value.
For the few times rain falls, and in unusual cases of heavy downpours, you need a water management system that a roof gutter is a part of.
When rain falls, you need a gutter to channel the water away from the base of your home before it soaks into your foundation or in some cases, floods your basement.
Gutters are super important regardless of the duration or intensity of the wet seasons within a region.
These fixtures help control the growth of mildew and mold on a home, protect landscaping and prevent erosion.
When Should You Consider Installing Gutters? (in Texas)
If you’ve made some observations around your home that indicate your home is eroding all around, or your landscape is deteriorating then you should probably install a gutter as soon as possible.
You don’t have to wait until there are issues around your home due to the absence of adequate water channels to get a roof gutter.
As I suggested previously, getting roof gutters installed on your home is one investment you’ll never regret.
You should consider installing gutters in your home when you notice water or drainage problems around your house.
- Stagnant water or prolonged wetness around your foundation
- Flooding around your home when rain falls
- Cracks on the surface of your foundation
When you finally decide to install gutters on the roof of your house, it is recommended that you do it before spring.
Although there are no consequences or penalties for fixing gutters during any other season than spring, it is best to to do any installation on buildings when it isn’t raining.
Summary
Gutters are not necessary for Texas. There are residential and corporate buildings that do not have gutters attached to them, largely due to the lack of rainfall in the state.
Although the average amount of rainfall per year is low, there is still a need for houses to have gutters.
There can be cases of unprecedented thunderstorms that can prove dangerous if there is no proper drainage channel for water to flow through.
beldon.com/blog/gutters-required-texas
victorsroofing.com/blog/house-with-no-gutters/
storiesofahouse.com/how-long-can-a-house-go-without-gutters/how-long-can-a-house-go-without-gutters
