A house on a hill is not as likely to need gutters, because the rain is naturally going to flow away. A home surrounded by concrete may also not need gutters.
Some houses in Texas may lack rain gutters due to factors like low precipitation levels, sloped terrain facilitating water runoff, building codes, aesthetics, or alternative drainage solutions.
Mobile homes do not always come with gutters, but the reason for this is often because attaching gutters before transport would add several inches to the width of the structure.
Definitely don't get rid of gutters, they aren't just a luxury, they're essential to keeping water away from your foundation. If you don't have gutters you'll have water intrusion in your basement, and erosion of the soil around your foundation. Not to mention, mud will splash on your new siding whenever it rains.
Florida has sandy soil, so moisture absorbs rather quickly. Basements aren't prevalent here. Builders try to cut back on costs because building codes don't require gutters unless a house has a roof on top of another roof or eaves of less than 6 inches. The house is located on a slope which prevents pooling water.
This is because they're absolutely necessary to keep water out of the basement, and prevent costly water damage to the home. But California is known for its dry climate. In some parts of Southern California, most homes don't have basements and rainy days are few and far between.
Florida's water table is notoriously high. In many areas, the water table is close to the surface, making excavation for basements both challenging and impractical.
A prospective buyer who sees a house without gutters, or with a faulty gutter system, can very easily be turned off and won't even continue to look at the rest of the house. Leaky, clogged gutters, or even worse, no gutters at all and a virtual waterfall off the edge of your roof, leave an unfortunate first impression.
In short, the answer is no — a house does not need gutters to pass inspection. Gutters aren't code-mandated, so a home inspector is unlikely to call out missing gutters. However, if the inspector notices damage to the property that could be due to the lack of gutters, they may recommend that you install them.
While the wide eaves and sloped roofs common in Texas architecture do help shed water, they might not be enough to handle the DFW's intense rainfall, particularly for older homes.
Each homebuilder is different, and they each offer different things in their contracts. While some may include installing gutters, it isn't uncommon for builders to leave gutter installation up to the discretion of the homeowner.
Drip Path
Looking to replace the traditional gutter system at your place? Enter the concept of a drip path. Drip paths, simply put, are a smart method that directs rainwater away from the foundation of your home without using gutters. It's essentially a narrow strip filled with gravel or rock bordering your home.
When your home doesn't have gutters installed, water can seep through your basement windows, damage the foundation, and slip through these cracks. If you want to avoid this type of situation, install gutters to protect your house against leaks that lead to mold growth.
If a windstorm, lightning strike, or another covered peril damages your home's gutters, your homeowners policy may pay for their repair or replacement, up to your coverage limits and minus your deductible. Your homeowners policy won't cover damage to your gutters due to negligence or wear and tear.
Gutters do not necessarily add to the value of your home. If you spend $2,000 on gutters, your home's appraisal value probably won't increase by $2,000. That doesn't mean they're a bad investment though. In fact, they could be one of the best investments you make for your home.
Gutters are an essential part of any home. They ensure water properly drains off of your roof, helping to protect the roof, siding, landscaping, and foundation from water damage. On average, gutters need to be replaced every 20 years.
A house on a hill is not as likely to need gutters, because the rain is naturally going to flow away. A home surrounded by concrete may also not need gutters.
Northern homes, for example, can remain habitable for up to a year or two without gutters, but that doesn't mean there won't be serious consequences. Even if your house seems fine after six months, problems can slowly brew. Soil displacement, foundation issues, and wood rot are all long-term risks.
Unfortunately, a house without gutters is more vulnerable to foundation damage when compared to properties that have seamless gutter systems. When water is not diverted away from your home, it causes soil erosion to the surrounding areas, which alters the foundation. Repairs are incredibly expensive and difficult.
The Midwest has the highest number of basements built in homes. The Regional Foundation Repair describes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota as the “heartland of basements.” The saying “everything is bigger and better in Texas” can also apply to the homes.
Heat rises and Florida is subtropical, so upper levels are incredibly expensive to keep climate-controlled (the transition from central A/C to modular room units helps, but heat still flows upstairs). Levels below ground are vulnerable to flooding because most of the state is swampland atop one giant limestone aquifer.
Because of the high water table and proximity to the ocean, it is impossible to dig out for a basement.