You already know that rain gutters provide homeowners with a wide array of benefits. The most relevant benefit is protecting your property from costly water damage repairs. It does not matter if you choose regular or custom rain gutters, the important matter here is that you need to have rain gutters supporting your drainage system on draining away the rainwater to prevent future headaches that could damage your roof, floors, furniture, foundation, and more.
After installing rain gutters, it is important to know that, as a homeowner, you cannot overlook their maintenance. Why? Because it could lead to problems, such as clogged or overflow gutters, leaking pipes, and so much more. So, you need to be careful, if you don’t want to put your home at risk.
Now that you know the different issues you could face if you don’t have gutters or if you don’t properly maintain the ones you have, you should ask yourself: How much do I know about rain gutters? Perhaps, rain gutters are much more fascinating than you think. Don’t believe us? Here are ten fun facts about rain gutters that most people do not know:
- Did you know that the first gutters were created by ancient civilizations in 3.000 B.C.? They started to drain water from one location to another using a system that they made out of stone, brick, and wood. Furthermore, the first drainage systems to drain water away from streets were used by the Romans! Awesome, right?
- Did you know that gargoyles were used on buildings to act as rain gutters? These gargoyles would direct rain water away from the important areas of the building. Isn’t that brilliant? Some people even believed that the gargoyles were also used to ward off evil spirits from the building.
- Wood, lead, and clay replaced the gargoyles gutters in the 1200s.
- Nowadays, rain gutters are produced in a range of materials, such as plastic, steel, copper, and aluminum. Moreover, every homeowner can choose two shapes of gutters: K-Style Gutters or Half-round gutters. Also, they can add types of rain chain like link and cup chains. Homeowners can even add downspouts to the gutters.
- Did you know cleaning your rain gutters can kill you? Organic debris trapped inside rain gutters is slippery and handling it boosts your risk of falling. Hiring professionals, like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, to maintain your gutter system neat and tidy can keep you out of the hospital.
- Did you know gutter cleaning professionals find thousands of children’s toys inside rain gutters every year? Even though Frisbees, balls, and badminton birdies are the most common, lunch boxes, toy cars, and even Barbie dolls have also been found with no explanation whatsoever of how they got up there.
- Did you know rain gutters were once installed on vehicles to prevent rain from falling on drivers’ heads when they exited the car? Located on the roof, the rain gutters dramatically changed the profile of the car, affecting air flow. Therefore, rain gutters were phased out in the 1980s to enhance aerodynamics – but no one seemed to notice.
- Did you know earthworms are often found in rain gutters? No one can explain for sure how they get into rain gutters all the way from the ground. Some people believe that worm eggs can get stuck between birds’ legs or the wind and, thus, reach the rain gutters by air travel. The worms hatch once inside the moist, clogged rain gutter.
- Did you know standing water in your rain gutters is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests? That’s why you should have your rain gutters regularly cleaned to prevent pests near your home.
- Did you know clutter, cutter, butter, clutter, shutter, and flutter rhyme with gutter, but no word rhymes with eave trough? Eave trough is a more technical terminology used for rain gutters.
Thanks for reading all of these fun facts. If you find yourself in need of new gutters, gutter repairs, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. You can reach us by phone at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!