Dr.
Fixit
Your
Home Repair Guide
CLOACINA
Roman Goddess of Gutters
(really!)
The management of water was recognized by the Romans as
being so important they actually had a goddess of sewers and gutters.
Cloacina was later associated with Venus. Eventually she became the
goddess of sexual intercourse (boy they really took water management
seriously).
While I'm not into the touchy, feely thing with
gutters...I do know they are very important. Directing water away from
your foundation can help keep serious problems from developing later on.
There are numerous kinds of materials that gutters are
made of: aluminum, galvanized metal, stainless steel, painted steel,
copper, wood, vinyl, plastic, cotton, and silly putty...jus' checkin' to
see if you're still listenin'...
Each kind of gutter has its pluses and minuses.
Galvanized metal gutters and aluminum gutters are relatively inexpensive
and moderately easy to install. They come in several colors or they can be
painted to match the house colors. However they can be dented easily with
a ladder and the paint could eventually fade and/or peel. Solid vinyl
gutters are inexpensive and moderately easy to install. They will never
peel because the color is throughout the vinyl. If not installed correctly
they can sag later on.
A copper guttering system is stylish and eye-catching
and a great selling point for a house on the market. Copper systems come
in standard square, half-round, over-sized, and decorative looks. The
sizes are 4,5, or 6 inch. Copper will turn from the original bright copper
shine to a dull brown. It takes about five years for copper to attain the
aged look it is known for. Copper can be ten times more expensive than
metal or vinyl to install. Very difficult to install and can dent
easily...but boy what a look!
You should clean out your gutters at least once or twice
a year. Late spring and the end of autumn are good times. Installation of
aluminum or vinyl gutters is moderately easy for the homeowner. If a
professional installer is required the pricing depends on the number of
linear feet, how many stories , access (are there trees in the way? etc.),
and number of downspouts.
Speaking of downspouts I have a client who installed
chains as downspouts and swears it works great. It's a good, unique look.
Please do not attempt to install cotton
gutters...I was jus' kiddin' and besides the Goddess Cloacina will not be
pleased!
