Rain Diverter Vs. Gutter: What Are The Differences?

A rain gutter is an essential component of a building's water drainage system. It's also known as guttering. Simply described, rain gutters are long, narrow, shallow troughs attached to the fascia boards at the roof's edge.

Rain gutters are used to collect rainfall from a home's roof, then collect it and carry it down downspouts into designated runoff zones.

Rain gutters, which run along the base of a roof, do more than save people from getting drenched as they pass by. Rain gutters lessen the chance of a flooded basement or damaged siding by directing water away from your home's foundation, as well as erosion and damage to your landscape.

Furthermore, those who want to save water may divert runoff from gutters into a rain barrel, which can be used as a garden reservoir.

Gutters come in various colors, sizes, and designs, but most of the time, we recognize them as the white things near the edge of the roof of our home.

Also read: Tips to read storm glass properly.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Rain Gutters

Like everything in this world, rain gutter also has its own sets of pros and cons. Here are the advantages and problems with rain gutters!

Advantages

• Gutters last a long time. Gutter systems have a ten-year lifespan. Even when gutters are damaged, they are pretty easy to fix. Your gutter will immediately run again after a gentle hammering or mending with roofing cement.
• Gutters help to keep your home safe. Guttering's primary function is to divert rainwater away from your property. What makes rainfall so hazardous? It may lead to moisture accumulation in your home's foundation and walls, which can lead to mold growth. And that's an even greater issue to deal with than gutter cleaning twice a year.
• Gutters are environmentally friendly. Do you care about the environment? Gutters may aid in the removal of pollutants from the water system. Stormwater runoff may carry dangerous pesticides, pollutants, and other chemicals into rivers and streams, and gutters can assist by diverting rainfall to a barrel or storm drain instead of your grass.

Disadvantages

• Gutters require regular maintenance. It's common for dried leaves, branches, and other outdoor debris to accumulate there, particularly if your yard is densely forested. If your gutter is blocked with debris for an extended period, it may cause roof leaking and mold. You may do it yourself twice a year by scooping up the bigger waste and spraying down the smaller particles, or you can pay someone to do it for you. It takes time and effort in any case.
• Gutters may warp if they aren't taken care of properly. Because gutters are constructed of aluminum and steel, they can expand and shrink. If they grow too much, the gutter system will begin to pull away from the house and distort the side. Furthermore, a significantly bent gutter is an eyesore. On the other hand, most gutter systems may prevent warping if they are cleaned twice a year.

What Are Rain Diverters?

Rain diverters are metal strips slid under the roofing to steer rainfall away from the house. Rain diverters are a low-profile device that you may install on top of your roof at any level to redirect water running down your roof and away from particular places, perhaps into gutters if any are available, and then to the street, garden, or even a holding tank if you like.

Rain diverters are not a substitute for gutters, but they may be used in specific situations, such as when you don't want gutters protruding out of your home visually, particularly on certain kinds of houses where gutters could seem odd.

Where it's not practicable or possible to build a whole gutter system, but you still need to keep rainwater away from particular locations, such as doors or walks, you may install rain diverters.

The diverters are an excellent method to avoid melted snow from draining over your front door, walks or other places you wish to keep dry in locations with a lot of snow and no gutters.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Rain Diverters

Before investing time and money in having a rain diverter built, consider a suitable solution for your property. We can go through some of the most important advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.

Advantages

• The main aim of rain diverters is to divert rainfall away from entrances, windows, pathways, and other locations that you don't want to get flooded. If you don't already have gutters, it performs a fantastic job.
• Rain diverters are inexpensive and relatively simple to install yourself if you follow the instructions carefully. Rain diverters are far less expensive than a complete gutter system, and unlike gutters, they don't need any upkeep.
• You can protect your roof from water gathering in particular locations, as well as your siding from being exposed to water continually flowing down. You may also guarantee that it drains appropriately by diverting water to a specified spot.
• Rainwater may be diverted into tanks or other locations to be reused for various uses, including watering your garden, providing drinking water for animals, or simply being utilized later if there are water shortages. I'm coming to it more on later!

Disadvantages

• Although rain diverters are low-profile, they are visible, mainly if they are different from your roof. So, if you're thinking about replacing your gutters with rain diverters, think about which one looks better.
• In colder areas, rain diverters may induce ice dams. Ice dams may cause water to seep under your roof, causing damage to interior ceilings and walls that you'll have to fix. If left unchecked, this might be a costly repair.
• If the ice dam is left unattended for too long, it may cause shingles to expand and move and the beams underneath the shingles, resulting in additional costs.

Similarities & Difference Between Diverter and Gutter

#1. Similarity: Both Controls Rainwater but Differently

Gutters and Rain diverters have a lot in common regarding controlling rainwater on the roof. Gutters carry water into a downspout and away from a wide portion of the roof, just like how a rain diverter directs water away from a specific area of the roof.

#2. Difference: Gutters Covers the Whole Roof, Diverter Covers Some

When it comes to the differences, gutters cover the whole rooftop or a big portion of it, while rain diverters simply cover a small part of the roof.

Rain diverters are often used in areas where gutters would be ugly or difficult to install. Rain diverters are often used to guide rainwater into gutters to move it away from the roof.

#3. Similarity: Made of The Same Materials

They're almost always constructed of the same materials. Metal and plastic gutters and rain diverters are capable of performing the same functions.

#4. Difference: Gutters Are Uglier Unlike Rain Diverters

Rain diverters are often used for aesthetic purposes. Some people dislike gutters, yet they can't altogether avoid them since they safeguard your property from water damage. Instead, they should install rain diverters.

#5. Similarity: Rain Diverters Are More Practical

Rain diverters may be used for a variety of purposes. Rain diverters, for example, may be used as a front porch if positioned on top of your front door, keeping you dry while you exit or enter the door.

Bonus Guide: Why You Should Recycle The Rainwater & How To Use Them?

Collecting and recycling rainwater from your gutters has several benefits for your home and life, so whether you like rainy days, you may make use of them. Here are a few reasons why you should start collecting stormwater:

• Reduces water use and saves money.
• Keeps excess runoff and floods off your land.
• Encourages sustainable practices and decreases dependency on wells.
• Allows you to manage your water use (great in regions with water restrictions or droughts).
• Has a good effect on the environment.
• Improves garden health and provides a fantastic supply of backup water for properties

What Should You Do with All That Rainwater?

I'm sure you're sold on harvesting the diverter/gutter rainwater from now on. You may utilize this rainwater for a variety of reasons after it has been collected:

Toilet Flush

The bathroom is the largest user of indoor home water. The toilet alone consumes 27% of a household's total water use. Have a bucket handy if you wish to flush your toilet with rainwater gathered from the roof.

When it's time to flush, just dump the bucket's contents into the toilet bowl. This automatically flushes your toilet.

Alternatively, you might create pipes that flow rainwater into your house and link them to your bathroom for flushing.

Water for Plants & Gardens

Rainwater collecting is a fantastic option if you have a garden or any plants. Rainwater has no additional chemicals, unlike the water you drink or shower in, making it a safe source of hydration for both indoor and outdoor plants.

The water you conserve may also be used to irrigate your grass, which can use a lot of water, particularly during the warmer months.

You may even set up an irrigation plan, so you don't have to haul the water yourself if you want to take it a step further with the harvesting. However, do not use the water on edible plants if any portion of your gutter system is constructed of copper.

Laundry

Clothing washing accounts for 22% of a household's indoor water use. You may wash your clothes using rainwater collected from the roof and save money on municipal water. Depending on how clean you want your laundry water to be, you can launder your clothing with either untreated or processed rainwater.

Animals Water

You might utilize the rainwater collected for pets and animals on your home property. Harvested rainwater is usually safe to drink and bathe in for cattle, pets, and other animals, particularly if you have a way to collect pure rainwater directly.

Water for Drinking

Stormwater may be collected and utilized for personal hydration. This, however, will need the use of a filtering system.

Rainwater, as previously stated, is untreated and so unfit for human consumption. It may wipe away germs and bacteria as it flows from your roof to your rain barrel. So, get it filtered before you use the water for a pleasant drink.

Cooking

Rainwater may be used for cooking, but it must be filtered first. While many people believe that boiling water kills all germs, it does not eliminate pollutants that have gotten into the water. Once the water has been filtered, it is an excellent method to save water and begin cooking.

Cleaning

Water is required to mop floors, wash toilets, clean showers, and even do laundry. Incorporating rainwater into your daily routine may help you save a significant amount of money on your monthly water bill.

Fire Safety in the Home

Finally, if you reside where wildfires are common, such as California, you may safeguard your home by installing a rainwater collecting system and a storage tank. Install a good pump so you can get rainwater fast and conveniently when you need it.

These are just some ideas; you may have your own ideas for using the harvested rainwater. A rain diverter and gutter are, without a doubt, a device that is quite valuable to houses.

You might use it to collect rainwater and reduce your municipal water use in addition to directing water away from your roofing system.

Related: Hurricane safety tips for homeowners

Final Words

Rain diverters are a fantastic choice for homeowners who can't or don't want to install a complete gutter system. You may also discover that having a gutter on your property makes certain portions of your home seem weird, so a rain diverter may be a better alternative for you.

However, on the "Rain Diverter vs. Gutter" debate, a wise homeowner will not choose rain diverters over gutters. Instead, they work together to guarantee that rainfall runoff does not damage their roof, internal walls, ceilings, or foundation.

Rain diverters and gutters should be purchased simultaneously. Rain diverters guide rainfall to a small section of gutters, obviating the need for a large, unattractive gutter system.

Rain diverters and gutters have many more advantages than disadvantages, which should be kept in mind while choosing rain diverters and gutters to install.

Wouldn't you accept a slight blemish on your home's appearance in exchange for saving thousands of dollars in damage?

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