Middle Tennessee rainfall puts gutter performance at a premium. What you should know.

Nashville averaged 50.51 inches of rain per year over 30 years through 2020, which puts the pressure on gutters to do their job for Middle Tennessee homes.

Gutters essentially retrieve water from the roof and divert it so it doesn’t damage the foundation, basement, crawl space or landscaping. They also prevent mold and mildew growth.

A gutter is designed to move water, not hold it, and sagging gutters are sign a of a problem and can also impact the fascia boarding of a house.

Older gutter systems often have spikes that essentially go through the gutters and connect to the home. They can pull away over time, said Danny Harrsch, production supervisor with Clinard Home Improvement in Nashville.

Newer homes and gutter systems usually are secured with hangers that are similar to a bracket and more effective over the long haul.

Gutters should be cleaned of leaves and debris, often several times a year depending on the trees around a home.

There are different levels of gutter guards that act as screens on top of the gutter to allow for water flow and keep debris out. There is also a cap system that Harrsch said provides covering for the gutter with a chamber for the water to travel through.

There are different gutter sizes, but 6-inch is pretty common and usually provides adequate water flow for most homes.

Aluminum gutters are the most frequently used gutter material though there are other options such as copper, which is considerably more expensive.

A gutter system can range from $1,500-$3,500 for a typical home, although that can be higher for larger homes depending on the number of stories and how bends and curves affect the length of the material used. Gutters that are maintained can last decades.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville rainfall and gutters: What you should know