Gutters are a crucial part of any home. They protect your house from water damage, maintain the building’s structure, and extend the life of your roofing system. But when it comes to choosing between in-ground gutters and above-ground gutters, which option is better? Though Aho Seamless Gutters specializes in above-ground gutters, it’s important to compare your options to make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at the details of these unique systems!
Above-Ground Gutters
Above-ground gutters, also known as traditional gutters, are installed along your roof’s edge as a strategy for managing rainwater. Traditional gutters are a cost-effective and attractive solution to protect against foundation damage. During heavy rainfall, above-ground gutters collect water and direct it away from your home’s foundation, roof, and exterior walls. After exiting the gutters through your downspouts, the water flows safely into a nearby drainage area, such as a municipal grate or storm drain. Along with being an effective drainage solution, above-ground gutters are also relatively accessible, making home maintenance more straightforward.
The installation process for above-ground gutters is relatively simple. First, we ensure that the above-ground gutter system is properly installed along the roof’s edge using brackets or hangers, ensuring a secure fit. From there, we place gutter flashing along the roof line to prevent surface water from seeping behind the gutters.
When it comes to above-ground gutters, function isn’t everything, either. Along with serving as an efficient water management strategy, our above-ground gutters offer a touch of aesthetic appeal for your New England property. While in-ground gutters and drainage systems offer a hidden look, our above-ground gutters can be customized to match your home’s exterior.
We offer various materials for your above-ground gutter system, including copper and mixed-aluminum metal gutters. Whichever system you decide on, all of our gutters are designed to function optimally, require no to low maintenance, and protect your home’s structural integrity for years to come. Adding gutter guards, such as Leaf Relief gutter covers, makes it even easier to prevent debris accumulation inside your above-ground gutter system without the need for regular cleaning. Save money, protect your property’s foundation, AND eliminate the annoyance of gutter cleaning with our gutter guard solutions!
In-Ground Gutters
You might have guessed the primary difference between in-ground and above-ground gutter systems already — and you’d be correct! In-ground gutters, also known as hidden or French drain gutters, are also a water management system, but instead of on your home’s roof, they’re installed below ground level. These systems are designed to direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, helping channel water into nearby storm drains.
While French drains are virtually invisible and don’t affect your home aesthetics, this type of underground drainage system can come with several limitations, unlike traditional gutters. First and foremost, installing in-ground gutter systems is complex, requiring careful planning and extensive groundwork to establish proper rainwater drainage. This complexity increases the installation cost and time. Additionally, avoiding drainage clogs can be challenging because in-ground gutter systems are less accessible than traditional gutters. Debris buildup, clogs, and damage to the underground pipes can create increased maintenance requirements, making more regular inspections critical.
Which Gutter System Do You Need?
As a general rule, we recommend traditional gutters for most homeowners in New England and other areas prone to snow and rain storms. These simple yet effective water management systems have several benefits to offer, including a wide selection of common materials, effective rainwater drainage, and a variety of color and style choices. With periodic inspections every so often, you’ll be good to go — especially if you have gutter guards, too! Finally, traditional gutters provide more long-term savings and a lower overall cost as they require fewer replacements, making them a more financially attractive option for water management.
We believe in helping you make informed decisions, so it’s important to also understand that there are certain circumstances in which your house may benefit from an in-ground drainage system. If soil erosion has been a problem around the foundation of your house or you’re experiencing water-related damages due to rainwater pooling in your yard, you may want to consider exploring ground gutters since water accumulation at ground level can’t be addressed using traditional gutters.
Having a ground drainage system installed will help direct water away from these essential areas, but don’t forget that regular maintenance plays a crucial role in caring for ground-based gutters. After your ground gutter drains are installed, make sure to have all drains and pipes checked regularly by professionals, especially when local conditions call for excess water.
Contact Our Gutter Professionals Today!
Choosing between in-ground gutters and above-ground gutters depends on your ideal budget, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic preferences. Above-ground gutters generally provide a more practical, cost-effective solution with easier home maintenance and inspection capabilities, although there are certain cases when French drains may be a better way to solve your drainage problems.
If you’re considering upgrading your gutters in Manchester, NH, or the nearby areas, contact Aho Seamless Gutters for a free inspection. Our experienced team specializes in gutter installation, gutter repairs, and maintaining above-ground gutter systems to ensure your home is protected from water damage. Let us help you keep your home safe and dry with our top-quality gutter services!
