To many, eavestroughs and gutters are the same. And while they are found in the same area of your home, they are not the same.
This blog will examine the definitions and differences between eavestroughs and gutters and how to clean them.
What is an Eavestrough?
First off, let’s define what eaves are. Eaves are a section of your house’s roof extending past the wall. So an eavestrough is a trough that collects rainwater at the base of the eaves. Generally, the eavestrough leads the water away from the house and to a drain or sewer or somewhere else at a safe distance from your home to avoid water hitting the walls and foundation of your house, where it could lead to very costly repairs.
How is Eavestrough Different From a Gutter?
Now you will say this makes it a gutter, and you’re not wrong. Gutters are a catch-all, no pun intended, for anything collecting water (or bowling balls) and directing it elsewhere.
So all eavestroughs are gutters, but not all gutters are eavestroughs. It is a specialized kind of gutter on the eaves of your home.
Why is it Common For People to Get Eavestroughs and Gutters Confused?
It is common to confuse the two terms because many people use them interchangeably, unaware of the difference. Likely because they ultimately serve the same purpose, they don’t necessarily pay attention that the eavestrough is in one particular part of your house.
It also can be a regional thing where people in an area call it one thing or another.
How to Clean the Eavestrough or Gutter?
Fundamentally, there are two ways to clean your eavestroughs or gutters: You can do it yourself or hire professional cleaners.
If you would like to go at it yourself, there are a few things you have to have in place. For one, you will need a high ladder to reach the gutters, and it’s advised to have someone else hold the ladder to ensure you are safe while you are up there. You will also have to ensure you have all the tools to do the work, such as gloves and goggles (cleaning eavestroughs and gutters can be a very dirty job) as well as a hose, a snake tool to clean the downspouts and a sealant to clear and then seal the gutters. Depending on your home’s size and height, it can also be quite time-consuming.
The other option is to hire a professional cleaning company, like Shine Windows, to do the cleaning. Hiring professionals comes with a couple of distinct advantages. They have all the professional equipment required to do the job correctly. They also do this daily, giving them the experience to generally do the service faster and more safely than you could yourself. With this experience also comes an eye for potential other damage and issues that need to be fixed, which can also prevent more severe problems.
They also can advise on potential other products, such as gutter guards, which can prevent leaves and debris from getting into your gutters and downspouts and avoid future clogs and additional maintenance costs.
Conclusion
If you are looking for professional and reliable eavestrough and gutter services in Toronto and the GTA, contact the experts at Shine Windows.
Our goal at Shine is to have the utmost integrity in performing the highest quality work for you while providing a turnkey solution for easy booking, coordination, and experience.
We put our clients first. That is why we have a 100% satisfaction process. We do not take any final payments until you have done a thorough walk-around and signed off on the work.
Contact Shine Windows today at 416-949-3874 to schedule an appointment for a free estimate!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eavestrough and gutter the same?
While similar, they are not the same. Both are designed to collect and transport excess water away from your home. However, the eavestroughs are located at the bottom of the eaves under the part of the roof that extends past the walls.
Is it necessary to have an eavestrough or gutter at home?
In short, yes. Your gutters are designed to collect and then divert water from your roof to a safe distance from the foundation and walls of your home. If the water drops to the ground right next to your walls, standing water can penetrate small cracks around your house, infiltrate the foundation, and damage it. This can also lead to water entering your home and causing more damage. If that happens, it can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs or even more.
In the end, installing eavestroughs or gutters and maintaining them regularly is highly recommended. This will prevent problems and costly repairs down the road.
