When homeowners are faced with the question of installing a drainage system, many of them clutch their heads. An important point is not only durability but also costs. Many people want to save money, so they consider the option of installing it themselves. It is much cheaper but not always reliable. Others seek help from special companies that provide experienced experts and the necessary tools. You select the material yourself and simply hire a team that will install the system for you within a certain period of time.
Does my house need a drainage system?
If you are the owner of a private house, you may think that you do not need a drainage system. But this is not always the case. Rainwater drainage is not necessary if you live in the desert. You may not need a drainage system if your building is on a hill; this is a natural drainage system. If the territory of your house and its walls are surrounded by a concrete covering, then a drain may also not be needed.
In regions where it rains or snows, such a system is a must. It will direct the rainwater streams to a specific place and it will not splash on the walls. This will be tedious to clean later. Also, the accumulation of water can lead to flooding of the foundation, water in the basement and mold.
If the drainage system is installed, the cost of the house increases dramatically. This is beneficial if you plan to sell the house. The drainage system is an attractive item for buyers because it will save them from the problem of installation in the future. In regions with frequent rains and hurricanes, high-quality drainage is almost in first place when buying or selling buildings.
Pros of installing a drainage system:- If the drainage system is installed qualitatively and reliably, its service life can reach almost 20 years.
- With a rainwater drainage system, the facade of your building will not be damaged, and there will be no stagnation of water under the walls.
- A drainage system will help keep the external walls of the house clean.
- In most cases, if the system is installed independently, it will last for several years.
- The cost of installation can be quite high. Of course, these can be individual and exclusive systems in some areas and for some houses.
- Even the best gutters require cleaning and regular maintenance. This may be done rarely, but it is still a necessity.
Hiring a team of professionals is a great investment
Let’s first discuss the advantages if you install the gutter by hiring a team of experts. Yes, it will be more expensive than doing the installation yourself. The approximate cost of installing a full-fledged rainwater drainage system is from $900 to $2500. But there are also advantages:
- You do not need to think over the installation plan and take care of certain details in the process.
- You will be sure that all joints and fastenings are securely fixed and the system works correctly.
- You get the finished result within the specified time frame and enjoy the result without stress.
- You do not need to find time between work, family, gardening or other important activities. The team works autonomously; you do not waste your time.
- You are not distracted, experts can ask you something during the installation process, but they work without your intervention.
- You can make a custom order. For example, if you have an arch or semicircular exterior elements.
Is DIY gutter installation cheaper?
Many people compare prices and think that it is more profitable to install the drainage system themselves. You do not need to pay specialists for their work, you only spend on materials. If you plan to install sectional gutters, then this will not be too difficult and will not take much time. Professional contractors can advise you on more expensive options for materials and types. For example, seamless gutters or a copper system. It is important to consider that reliable fasteners can damage the system already at the first heavy rainfall. You can find instructions on the Internet on how to properly and firmly fasten the fasteners.
You can choose the material yourself, taking into account the future loads on the pipes and the climatic conditions in your region. If you think that you can handle such a task, then it is better to choose aluminum material. It will be easier for you to work with it when installing it yourself. The question is whether you can securely fasten everything. There are people who installed the system themselves and something went wrong. Then they had to hire a team of experts and overpay to fix their mistakes. If you are confident in your abilities, then complete the installation process yourself.
