A House Without Gutters in Florida: What Happens to the Foundation

Follow one storm. Rain runs down the roof and off the edge, and it falls at the same line all along the house. That strip takes far more water than the rest of the yard.

• Erosion. Sandy soil washes out, leaving a trench and exposing mulch and footings.
• Splash. Water bounces dirt and algae onto lower stucco and siding.
• Pooling. If the ground is flat or slopes toward the house, water collects at the wall.
• Infiltration. Water near the slab can find its way into the soil beneath it.

Watch for these:

Some signs point to other causes, such as settling or plumbing leaks. If you see cracks that grow, ask a qualified professional to look.

• A trench or bare strip under the roof edge
• Mulch that washes away after storms
• Green or gray streaks low on the wall
• Water standing next to the house after rain
• Cracks in stucco near the ground or at door corners
• Doors or windows that begin to stick

Gutters are one fix, not the only one.

The right mix depends on your lot. A good installer looks at the whole picture and does not sell gutters alone.

• Gutters and downspouts collect the water and carry it away. See downspout extensions.
• Grading that slopes soil away from the wall
• A concrete or gravel apron that sheds water beyond the drip line
• A buried drain for tight yards, described in underground downspout drainage

On a house with short eaves and a bed of plants against the wall, gutters at $900 to $3,200 are often cheaper than repeated landscaping and repair. On a house with wide overhangs and a concrete apron, they may add little. See do Florida homes need gutters.

Gutters collect. Downspouts decide where the water lands. A gutter system that dumps beside the slab can do more harm than none. Extend outlets several feet from the wall, and use a buried line on flat or tight lots. The University of Florida IFAS Extension has guidance on Florida soils and drainage, and the National Weather Service in Melbourne publishes local rainfall data.

If you see growing cracks, sinking soil, or water entering the house, call a licensed professional such as a structural engineer or a contractor with foundation experience. A gutter installer can fix drainage, and they should say so if the problem is beyond their scope. Also read downspout drainage and yard flooding in Orlando.

Central Florida's sandy soils drain quickly, which is why many yards seem fine even without gutters. Fast drainage is a benefit, and it also means water carries soil with it. Where roof water lands in a strip, sand washes out and exposes the footing edge over time. And where the water table is high in the wet season, drainage slows and water can stand.

Do not assume that because the soil drains, a house without gutters is safe. Watch what happens at the drip line after several storms.

After a heavy rain, check three things: the drip line for erosion, the base of the wall for splash, and the slab edge for standing water. Photograph each one. If you repeat the check after the next storm and the same spots show damage, the pattern is real. That evidence also helps if you need to discuss drainage with a builder or contractor.

Start with the cheapest fixes:

If the house has cracks, sticking doors, or water entering, call a qualified professional. For a full look at whether gutters fit your house, read do Florida homes need gutters.

• Regrade soil so it falls away from the wall
• Add a gravel or paver strip under the drip line
• Add gutters only where the pattern is worst, such as over entries or beds
• Add downspouts and extensions to carry water away