Having rain gutters on your mobile home is a smart idea, but there are also a few gutter alternatives that may serve the same purpose and benefit you more. Want to know these alternatives? Well, we did some research to find those potential alternatives for your mobile home, and here’s what we found.
The following are some alternatives to mobile home gutters:
- Box Gutters
- Built-In Gutters
- Copper Gutters
- Downspouts
- Drip Edge
- Rain Barrels
- Rain Chains
- Rainhandler Gutter
In this article, we will cover in-depth information on the rain gutter alternatives mentioned above. We will also share with you the benefits and drawbacks of having alternative ones and the usual materials used for the gutter. More information ahead so keep on reading.
Types Of Mobile Home Gutter Alternatives
Just like permanent buildings, mobile homes require gutters to direct water off the roof. Even if they don't have basements that could flood, damage can still occur without gutters.
Guttering is not really a standard feature of mobile houses but there are still some that include this component. Rain gutters are important in a mobile home because it takes a lot of effort and money to remove and replace rotten wood underneath skirting.
Even worse, if water accumulates around your mobile home and underneath it, the stability of the footing may be compromised due to the shifting of the ground. Your house can start leaning dangerously or even start sliding off its foundation.
However, even if you don't want gutters, you might wish to consider gutter alternatives if you'd prefer something that looks nicer or is easier to maintain. The following are some effective gutter alternatives for your mobile home.
1. Box Gutters
These gutters have a considerably more understated appearance than conventional gutters. The system has troughs that resemble valleys and extend to your roof's edge. The troughs steer water away from your foundation and roof.
Click here to see this box gutter on Amazon.
They lack the cylinder shape of conventional gutters, which makes them more prone to clogging. However, these gutters are frequently disregarded. You might not detect a problem if there is corrosion or a blockage until it is too late.
The installation is simple and it is much more advisable to always refer to the proper process in the manufacturer’s installation manual for metal roofing.
If you don't have access to this type of manual, you may still follow along with the instructions in the YouTube video that is shown below for installing box gutters.
2. Built-In Gutters
Built-in gutters are intricate but not particularly noticeable, so they don't interfere with your architectural style. They can resist intense downpours and storms. You can customize them depending on the usual amount of rainfall in your location, and they require little maintenance.
3. Copper Gutters
Copper gutters seem like standard gutters, but they have a more appealing appearance. They may add elegance and style to your mobile house while also preventing any potential water damage. Which also may appear impressive when viewed from the street.
It will oxidize around six years, form a coating then turn to dark gray. In time, this color will develop a stunning green patina. As a result, your mobile home will look incredibly lovely due to this copper gutter. You can use a sealer to keep copper from oxidizing if you want to keep its original appearance.
4. Downspouts
These are a good alternative for gutters because you can have them made to order in a variety of forms to accommodate your mobile home. Downspouts are made of a variety of materials, including aluminum, copper, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), lead, rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and steel.
Click here to see these downspouts on Amazon.
They are usually available in a variety of shapes, and you can paint or stain them. After precipitation drips from your roof, downspouts assist in directing it away from the mobile house's foundation, walkways, etc. Hangers are used to install downspouts, and they are fastened to the fascia board or roof.
You can install it at any location along the roof based on where you want the water to drain. For a clearer understanding of the process of installing this kind of alternative, check out below the video on YouTube.
5. Drip Edge
It is an L-shaped metal sheet attached at the roof’s edges which deflects water away from the fascia to prevent it from rotting. Additionally, it stops water from running down the sides of your house and under the shingles.
Click here to see this drip edge on Amazon.
It is a low-cost alternative and you can use it alone or in conjunction with gutters to completely safeguard your mobile home. To give you an idea of how to install this, check out this video below.
6. Rain Barrels
There are many various sizes and styles of rain barrels. To collect rainwater from roofs, gutters, balconies, or other hard surfaces, they can be put beneath downspouts.
Click here to see this rain barrel on Amazon.
Using gravity, rain barrels can deliver water to an irrigation system or garden hose. Installing a diverter kit will enable you to pump water to a different area of your yard, depending on where the hose bib (faucet) is located.
7. Rain Chains
Although rain chains are quickly gaining popularity in North America, they have long been a common sight in Asia too. They are a stylish and effective replacement for traditional gutters.
Click here to see these rain chains on Amazon.
Through chains or cups, they can direct rainwater to fall from the roof to the ground which may stop the strong force of falling water from causing the land to shift. Rain chains blend aesthetics and functionality.
If you put rain chains on the outside of your mobile house, you'll have a fantastic water feature in addition to a dependable rain distribution system.
8. Rainhandler Gutter
It is an alternative that has a rain dispersal system. Also, this kind of technology uses an angled louver system to divide rainwater into smaller drops or rivulets which lessen the impact of the rainwater. Hardware stores have a wide selection of rainhandler gutters.
Click here to see this rainhandler on Amazon.
Installing a rainhandler on your roof will prevent water from getting near your home mobile's walls. Plus, it enhances the appearance of your property by reducing erosion beneath your roof and keeping water away from the area around it.
A YouTube video is embedded below to give you an idea of how it actually operates and to help you envision some installation tips for this type of gutter alternative.
What Advantages And Disadvantages Do Rain Gutter Alternatives Offer?
Utilizing a rain gutter alternative has obvious economic benefits. The traditional rain gutter might cost anywhere around $10 per linear foot depending on the design and gutter type chosen.
You can usually save nearly half of what they would spend on traditional gutters by using an alternative. Aside from being cheaper, some are actually more aesthetically pleasing than regular gutters such as rain chains.
Fortunately, there is a range of gutter alternatives available for homeowners that want something out of the usual which is listed above.
You should take installation considerations into account when selecting a rain gutter alternative. For instance, aluminum gutters are often tacked or screwed to fascia boards close to the eaves of roofs, whereas copper and metal gutters are soldered into roofing sheets for a more long-lasting installation.
However, not all gutter alternatives are cheap A few are more expensive than traditional gutters, such as copper gutters.
Another disadvantage is the need for additional care when installing some of the alternative gutters, such as rain chains that have a more intricate and hard-to-clean design.
And most materials of alternative ones are prone to wear or rust and frequently attached to the underside of roofs. Like metal-made gutter alternatives that must be cleaned more frequently and may need repair work during seasons of heavy snowfall or rain.
What Are the Different Types of Gutter Materials?
When choosing a gutter alternatives system, it's crucial to consider the climate in your area. Always conduct thorough research before investing. Here is a description of the most popular gutter materials to assist you in getting started:
- Aluminum: This is the choice that homeowners prefer the most. For do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners, they are perfect because they are lightweight and simple to use.
- Copper: It’s the priciest type of gutter material. They give homes a distinct aesthetic. They seldom require any maintenance and are rust-proof.
- Steel: Galvanized and stainless steel gutters are the two types of steel gutters available. Even though they are all quite resilient, stainless steel gutters are substantially more expensive and will not rust.
- Vinyl: It is a cheap alternative for DIYers. Vinyl gutters, however, do not perform well in severe weather.
- Wood: Gutters made of wood are fashionable and pricey. They are typically not sold in retail establishments because they are a custom option for newly constructed or older homes.
- Zinc: It is durable, easy to maintain, and corrosion-free, but they are expensive.
Conclusion
Traditional gutters aren't the only option, even if they are the most popular choice for dispersing rain. There are many alternatives available on the market, whether you're searching for something that requires little maintenance, lasts for a long time, can be hidden simply, or is aesthetically beautiful.
Experts say that a correctly fitted gutter is necessary for the long-term preservation of your home's foundation, regardless of the system you finally choose to use.
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