The 'we don't need gutters' myth
Every so often we hear 'we don't really need gutters in Reno — it barely rains.' Reno averages 7-8 inches of annual precipitation — low compared to most of the country. But that statistic misses what actually matters: how water comes to Reno homes.
Our rain doesn't arrive as gentle all-day drizzle. It arrives as:
Concentrated monsoon bursts (1-3 inches in 30 minutes during July-August); Sierra snowmelt (even small snow events melt into substantial water volume); and occasional winter atmospheric river events (4+ inches in 24 hours, twice per decade).
That concentrated water causes damage without gutters — even with our low annual total.
What gutters prevent
A properly functioning gutter system prevents:
Foundation damage — water dumping next to your foundation erodes soil, creates hydrostatic pressure on basement walls, and over time causes settling and cracking.
Landscape erosion — unprotected water sheeting off a roof carves channels in your landscaping and drowns plants.
Siding and trim damage — water splashing up from the ground bottom of exterior walls causes paint failure, wood rot, and stucco damage.
Window leaks — water splashing up to window frames finds its way inside over time.
Entry damage — water dumping at doorways creates slip hazards, wears down concrete, and damages door frames.
Driveway and walkway damage — ice forming from uncontrolled roof runoff crack concrete surfaces.
Basement moisture — even homes without finished basements suffer from water intrusion when roof runoff isn't controlled.
Which Reno homes need gutters most
Gutters matter for every home, but especially for:
Homes with mature landscaping (preserves your investment), homes with unfinished basements or crawl spaces (prevents moisture intrusion), homes with stucco or EIFS exteriors (prevents bottom-of-wall damage), homes on slopes where water can cause bigger problems faster, and any home built before 2000 (older foundations are more vulnerable).
Homes without gutters
If your home currently has no gutters and you've noticed foundation moisture, basement humidity issues, landscape erosion patterns, or siding damage near the bottom of walls — adding gutters will solve these problems. And the install is one-day work on most homes.
Call Gutter Brothers at (775) 502-1844 for a free on-site assessment. We'll tell you straight whether gutters will solve your specific issue.