Gutters are probably one of the neglected aspects of the home. But, efficient working of the home gutters is very important. Their improper functioning can cause big troubles for your home.

One of the biggest contributors to basement dampness is uncontrolled rainwater that is allowed to flow unchecked off a roof. If your gutters are old, broken or sagging, water will pour off the roof and saturate the ground below, potentially seeping into the basement and creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Without properly installed gutters the exterior walls of your home may become streaked and damaged by water runoff. So, gutters should be up near the top of the home improvement list of things that need to be done.

There are various types of gutters that can be installed in a home. The most common ones found in market these days are: vinyl, aluminum, copper and galvanized steel.

Vinyl gutters are tough, easy to install, weather resistant, low maintenance and economical. Although they traditionally only came in white, a variety of colors are now on the market. Aluminum gutters, like vinyl, are durable, easy to install, weather resistant and inexpensive. They do require a bit more maintenance, however, as the sealant needs to be reapplied more frequently than with vinyl. They also come as a seamless system, which has much less chance of leaks.

Steel gutters are much stronger than others and are less affected by the changing temperature. But they need to be repainted periodically to prevent them from rusting. On the other hand copper gutters do not corrode and are extremely durable but are a bit expensive than others.

Gutter guards or (gutter covers) are available in the market these days. These help to prevent debris and other material to enter the gutters and thus help preventing clogging issues. These handy products may just save your system and save you a lot of money in the long run.

No matter what material you use for your gutter, they need to be checked periodically to ensure theyre working properly and it is also very important for a healthy home.