Once again, I am thrilled to be featuring another expert on the residential real estate market…this time from the perspective of Chris Monahon of National Home Inspection Service of New England, Inc.  Chris is a second generation, ASHI-certified home inspector, who since 1980 has inspected 15,000 properties all over New England.  A resident of Newton, Chris has been featured in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and numerous other media outlets, and he is available for your questions at chris@monahon.com.

We have decided to feature a Home Inspector’s Corner, in which Chris will share a question from a homeowner followed by his response, insights and recommendations.  We will be doing these with regular frequency, and we hope you find this information useful and valuable in the caretaking and upkeep of your home.  And certainly, if these topics bring up questions you may have about your own home, we would love to hear – please ask us (or Chris, really).

So here we go, our very first Home Inspector’s Corner on the essential subject of gutters….

Hey Chris, I’m confused about gutters. Some contractors I’ve talked to say avoid them while others say I have to have them on my new house. The guys who don’t like them say they cause ice dams and winter roof leaks. My builder says I have to have them because my colonial doesn’t have enough roof overhang. What’s up and why the controversy?

F. B., Weston, MA

“Thanks for your question, F.B. of Weston.  I have to say that I’m “siding” with your builder.

In New England, gutters are a must unless you are building a contemporary home with 3- or 4-foot-wide roof overhangs. It’s simple, really. The problem is that we have “weather” (this isn’t Arizona, after all), and the goal is to avoid uncontrolled roof water runoff close to your structure, which can get into your basement, rot your window sills, warp your exterior doors and damage your brick or stone steps or patio.  All the splashing from the rain runoff just about always finds its way into your house through a doorway (sliding doors especially) or a basement window and, at the very least, erodes the soil around your foundation and in your plantings.

I have seen extensive rot damage to 8-year-old homes without gutters! I have seen masonry steps and driveways wash out or sink after 10 years of being tortured by rainwater from the roof. I have found water damage under carpeting at patio doors.

As for the ice dam controversy: a proper roof installation includes waterproofing under the roof 6 feet up from the gutter line. This “Ice and Water Shield” product prevents ice dam leaks and is routinely included in new roof installations.

So, at the very least, install good metal gutters with downspouts over doorways, garage doors, decks, patios and basement bulkheads. Direct your downspouts away from the foundation or connect them to good underground drainage. I recommend aluminum or copper gutters as they have good capacity and will last longer than wood types. Wood gutters are available and charming but do not hold much water, need regular painting and must be oiled annually. Wood types are rarely seen on new construction but are common on older homes.

Gutters must be cleaned regularly – up to 4 times a year if you have trees near your house. You’d be surprised how inexpensive this maintenance is. You can find gutter cleaners in your local town paper. Failing to clean your gutters is like having no gutters at all. And on a final note, I tend to avoid gutter screens and covers as I find they can become clogged by leaves and debris too.

Thanks again, F.B., for your question.” ~ Chris Monahon, ACI

And thank you, Chris, for your wise words, thoughts and suggestions about the world of gutters.  This subject is certainly relevant to us given the weather we face in New England.  We’ll plan to hear from you soon, Chris, on another home inspection subject.  Roofing issues?  Wood rot?  Basement water problems?  Or are there other home repairs or issues that you would like to cover?  I, for one, can’t wait because the list of home problems can seem to be endless at times.  So be sure to tune in for our next Home Inspector’s Corner….