Gutters please!
One of the first things that people notice about homes when they move down from up north, homes in Florida don't normally have gutters and downspouts. Why is that?
The short answer, the ground in Florida never freezes.
Gutters and frozen ground may seem unrelated but it's right on target.
It's important to keep water away from the footings of the home. When rainwater gets below the footing and freezes it will heave the foundation of the house, right out of the ground.
Gutters and downspouts are designed to keep water from accumulating close to the house and penetrating the ground below the footings. They also keep basements and crawlspaces dry.
When I lived in Chicago, the frost line was 4' below the ground surface. Having your foundation heave out of the ground was a real possibility if water trapped under the footings froze then expanded.
Homes in other parts of the country have crawlspaces and basements, Florida homes have concrete slabs on grade.
Since Orlando doesn't have a frost line nor crawlspaces and basements, why is it important to have gutters?
Beyond the convenience of not getting wet as you come in go from your house during a rainstorm. Keeping water away from your exterior walls is important.
When a home is brand-new so is the paint, caulking, window and door seals. As a home ages if it's not properly maintained the exterior envelope will leak. Frankly, most homeowners are too busy enjoying life to maintain their home properly. Gutters and downspouts provide extra insurance.
Keeping water off the exterior walls of your home is vital. Whether it's from rain water or out of control sprinkler heads.
Paint is important as a waterproofing agent it's not just there for looks. Most people repaint their home because the paint looks faded but they probably should have repainted years before in order to keep their home watertight.
Florida tropical storms, hurricanes and summer downpours don't help the situation. Face it, Florida is located in the tropics!
So when you are specifying the details of your new custom home, addition or remodel make sure you say, gutters please!
Mike, This is the biggest complaint I hear from out of state buyers. Their question to me is always the same: Why don't builders include them when they are constructing the home? The only explanation I can offer them is that it is not a building code requirement but more of a convenience item for the homeowner but I can tell you it's not what they like to hear.
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