In Southern Californias dry desert climate we rarely think about rain gutters, and why would we, it only rains 34 days a year here (maybe less in the future). The fact is, even the smallest amount of water can have a major effect given enough time (just look at the Grand Canyon).

When it rains, the massive area of your roof collects all of that precipitation and directs it to the sides of your home in very concentrated and critical area; your foundation.

If you have a basement and there is water in it after it rains, look at your gutters (if you have them). Not only should your roof have them but they should direct six feet away from the foundation.

Homes with just a crawl space will have a wet and damp crawlspace, ideal for growing mold and rotting wood.

Despite how horrific a crawl space full of mold sounds, it is not the worst thing. You see over years and years of rainfall and water wearing away at your foundation that foundation will start to sag at those edges. The results are detrimental to a home. The floor of the home will begin to “crown”, doors will stick, windows will become difficult to open. It truly is the death knell for a home.

Homeowners should protect their investment with good gutters, homebuyers should be on the look out for homes that don’t have gutters. A home without gutters is going to have problems, especially if it is an older home. Just think what 30 days of rain over 30 years will do.

Michael Robleto is a Los Angeles based REALTOR® that specializes in Historic Pre-War residential properties and those with architectural merit in Pasadena, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Eagle Rock, and Mount Washington.

Michael leverages his personal passion for historic architecture to provide his clients with the unknown insight into the pros and cons of older homes. 

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