As spring begins to bloom around us, we may find ourselves daydreaming about the warmer, sunnier days of the fast-approaching summer. What we’re probably not thinking about is how we should be protecting our second-story home from the impending thunderstorms that will no doubt rattle our skies and bring damaging downpours. When you think about protecting your home from water damage, your first thought might be the foundation or the basement. But what’s happening at the top of your home? Second-story gutters are often overlooked, yet they’re one of the most important lines of defense against costly issues that can impact your home’s structure, landscaping, and even indoor spaces.
In this article, you will learn all about second-story gutters, what they are, why they are non-negotiable for homes with upper levels, and the surprising damage they can stop. From cracked foundations to severe roof damage, upper-level gutter systems protect everything below them. Walking through real-world scenarios, you’ll see how missing second-story gutters can cost you thousands in repairs and headaches. Plus, we will cap it off with why proper installation and gutter guards are your ticket to a worry-free, water-tight home. Because when it comes to top-level protection, what’s above matters just as much as what’s below.
What Are Second Story Gutters?
Just like the gutters attached to the roofline of single-level homes, second-story gutters are installed on the roofline of the second story (or highest level). These gutter systems are used to collect rainwater and move it as efficiently as possible off of the roof and away from the home.
Why Second-Story Gutters Are Non-Negotiable
Water management is the top priority of gutter systems. In Traverse City, we can get over three inches of rain in October alone! That is more water than most roofs can shed safely without help, making second-story gutters important for Michigan residents who have two-story homes.
The damage caused by water cascading off a second level can mess up more than the ground below. Damage to the lower level roof, exterior wall, and foundation is expensive to repair and can devalue your property.
With lower Michigan receiving an average of 30-40 inches of rain a year, it doesn’t matter how many levels your home has, each level needs its own gutter system to protect the level below it.
What Can Go Wrong Without Second Story Gutters?
Below are five different things that can go wrong when you do not have gutters attached to the roofline of your upper levels. Along with these five different problems, we will give you a real-life example/scenario that could happen and explain the impact of the problem:
1.) Foundation Damage: When water runoff from the roof (especially at higher levels) is not properly directed away from the foundation, it can pool at the base, saturating the surrounding soil. This saturation causes the expansion and contraction of the soil and even erosion, which then puts uneven pressure on the foundation.
Example/Scenario: At the end of an eventful and storm-packed summer that even brought a two-inch downpour in August, a homeowner sees a three-foot crack in their home’s foundation.
Impact: Cracks in a home’s foundation can lead to serious structural issues, including uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and even wall separation. Cracks in the foundation can also allow water to seep into your basement or crawl space, creating conditions for mold, mildew, and rot. These problems compromise your home’s stability and overall value. Not to mention, thousands of dollars to repair.
2.) Exterior Surface Wear: Without second-story gutters, rainwater and snowmelt run down the exterior walls of your home. This can create water streaking, erode the siding or brick, and cause discoloration and rot.
Example/Scenario: After a rather wet winter in Michigan, a homeowner finds a large section of their second-level wall that has significant water damage.
Impact: For the homeowner, this means costly repairs and a drop in the curb appeal of your property.
3.) First Level Roof Issues: Water can seep into a home if it is repeatedly cascading from the second-story roof onto the first-level roof. Over time, repeated exposure can overwhelm the lower roof’s shingles, flashing, and seams, leading to water infiltration, which can cause interior leaks, rot in the roof, and even mold growth inside the home.
Example/Scenario: A homeowner one day notices some cracked drywall in the home. After inspection, it is revealed that water from the second-story roof has compromised the lower roof structure.
Impact: The price to restore a structurally damaged roof can be thousands of dollars, making second-story gutter installation a life-saver and cost-saver in the long run.
4.) Basement Flooding: For homes with basements, excessive runoff can overwhelm the drainage system if it is not sufficient for the home size and climate. Flooding of lower levels can and will happen. Saturation of the soil, in addition to the extra water flow, can seep into the basement walls, and before you know it, you have a big problem.
Example/Scenario: After warming temperatures in the early spring and snow melt combined with a spring rainstorm, a Michigan home can easily take in six inches of water into the basement, causing widespread damage.
Impact: Experiencing a flooded basement comes with a massive amount of cleanup and waterproofing for the future. Homeowners can spend thousands of dollars restoring damage after a basement flood.
5.) Snow and Ice Management: Ice dams, a common enemy among Michigan homeowners, can build up on lower-level roofs when water is not properly drained off of the upper-level roof.
Impact: Ice dams can cause roof damage, gutter damage, interior damage, and even fascia damage. All of these issues could result in expensive repairs for the homeowner.
Proper Installation and Maintenance: Making Gutters Work
So, now you understand the importance of second-story gutters. If you are going to move forward with having them installed on your home, below are a few installation and maintenance tips you should follow:
- Second-story gutters must be installed with the proper pitch to ensure that the water properly flows to the downspouts.
- Second-story gutters are exposed to the elements, such as high winds, more than the lower levels. The gutters should be securely fastened so they can withstand higher winds.
- Gutter guards are a smart addition to any gutter system, especially on upper levels that are closer to overhanging branches. Gutter guards can keep leaves, twigs, and other debris out of the gutter system, reducing clogs and cleaning requirements.
- A Traverse City rain gutter installation by an experienced and licensed professional can guarantee that you have a well-installed system that lasts for decades.
Elevate Your Home’s Protection
Second-story gutters may not be the first thing on your mind as spring blooms and summer looms, but they’re the silent heroes standing between your two-story home and a cascade of costly troubles. From cracked foundations to a damaged roof, the scenarios we’ve discussed show how uncontrolled water from above can wreak havoc below. These not-so-small problems can easily drain your wallet of thousands and disrupt your peaceful life. Proper installation, with the right slope and secure fastening, ensures your system can handle Traverse City’s 30+ inches of annual rainfall and the fierce lake-effect winds. And let’s not forget the upgrade of gutter guards that can cut maintenance by keeping clogs at bay. Don’t wait for the next downpour to reveal what’s missing. Equip your second-story with gutters and guards today because top-level protection can save everything underneath it.
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