Gutters are important to your home, but they’re mostly utilitarian and terribly boring … except when they’re not. Gutters, in all their forms (and they’ve taken on some weird forms over time), date back to antiquity. And even today there are some weird facts about gutters you might find interesting and helpful.
1. Rain Gutters On Cars?
In the 1900s, automakers used to put rain gutters and drip rails on cars to keep passengers from getting wet as they exited the vehicles. As you can imagine, they looked absurd on the roof of a car by today’s standards.
In addition to changing the vehicle’s profile, car gutters didn’t really work. They affected the airflow dynamic and were phased out around the 1980s (phew!) to improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise.
2. Gutters Can Start Fires
There’s plenty around your house that can start a fire, but gutters? Well, they can. In 2008, high winds caused a section of gutter to detach from an apartment building in Maryland. The gutter fell onto a power line and sparked a fire. The blaze displaced residents of 42 apartments in the complex, but no injuries were reported.
Also, clogged gutters with dried twigs and leaves can catch fire if you live in a bushfire-prone area. Organic debris in your gutters is combustible and tends to spread fire quickly and uncontrollably. This is why we press on cleaning gutters at least twice a year.
3. Gutters to Ward Off Evil Spirits
Ancient Greeks and Romans used to use gargoyles as rain gutters. This was way before proper drainage, guttering, and downpipes were invented. The gargoyles served as functional yet decorative elements for most of their buildings. They were fixed at the end of a drainage pipe and directed water away from the higher areas of a building.
These elaborate gutters were believed to ward off evil spirits while also directing rainwater away from the property. The French incorporated gargoyles into numerous architectural features during the Middle Ages. Gargoyles used to have many different styles, but all had similar devilish faces, wings, long claws, and a menacing air about them. Structures like Notre Dame still use gargoyles and honestly look magnificent.
4. Gutters as Critter Cottages
If you ignore gutter cleaning long enough, critters will take up residence in them. Organic matter and stagnant water create the perfect breeding ground for pests and insects. Your gutters also make a nice, furnished home for small, burrowing animals, too, especially in fall when pests and animals are looking for warm places to ride out the winter.
There’s a surprising list of critters that lurk in gutters, including, bees, wasps, hornets, birds, rodents, mosquitoes, squirrels, and even large opossums and raccoons. Your drainage system acts as a welcome refuge for these pesky creatures. Some of the more determined and agile ones can find their way indoors to feast on better human-cooked food or belongings. Plus, they’re rapid breeders and can cause a serious infestation in no time.
In addition, insects and rodents residing in your gutters can attract snakes who love a protein-filled meal in a warm spot. Snakes may slither down from a nearby tree branch or climb a drain pipe tracking the scent of their meal.
Sometimes, feral cats may also use your clogged gutters to have a litter of kittens or protect them from predators.
5. Your Gutters Are Steal-Worthy
Yes! Gutters get stolen and sold to scrap metal yards. And it’s not just the most expensive kinds; all types of gutters are stolen. Some thieves grab aluminum gutters, but the most valuable are, of course, copper gutters. They’re expensive to install and the copper is worth a lot.
Sometimes goons take the whole gutter. Other times, they make off with just components of the gutter – pipes, downspouts, gutter sections – whatever they can grab.
Although several scrap yards have started to demand identification from people selling gutters, this type of theft is still common in many places and costs homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in losses. New copper gutters cost $2,760 to $5,790 to install, so it’s better to spend a little extra to secure them better with special hardware than spend a small fortune replacing them.
6. Anti-Climb Paint
Did you know gutters can be an accessory to crime? Burglars climb downspouts and use gutters as a handhold to reach second-story windows or roofs. Some homeowners use thick, oily anti-climb paint to deter intrusion. They slather it on gutters, downspouts, walls, fences, etc, to make it difficult for an intruder to get a grip and shimmy up.
Anti-climb paint is also known as anti-burglar, anti-vandal, security, or non-drying paint. It’s an affordable and easy way to protect your home and gutters from unwanted intrusion. Don’t worry, leaves and debris won’t stick to the slimy, sticky surface because the paint forms a thin skin to prevent it.
7. Gutters Can Hold Your Weight
Gutters look pretty flimsy hanging off your roof, don’t they? The truth is, well-installed gutters can support the weight of an adult easily, even if it’s one with nefarious intentions.
But just because it can hold an impressive amount of weight does not mean you should stand on your gutter to clean, use it to reach the roof, or hang things with it. You absolutely should not. Gutters have a full-time job, remember? Putting a lot of unnecessary weight on them will still weaken them over time and may damage them.
Are You Experiencing Gutter Dilemma?
When there’s so much that could happen with your gutters, it’s wise to let experts handle them for you. This involves getting them regularly cleaned, fixing leaks, and adding precautionary elements to prevent intruders, fires, or animals. MyGutterGnome can connect you with local gutter pros who will help you secure your gutters.
Main Image Credit: Lex20 / Canva Pro / License
