What Gutters Do
Gutters run along the side of the roof on your home and reroute the rain that falls so that the water is directed away from the building and the foundations on which it’s built. Without a properly functioning guttering system, one that’s kept free of leaves and debris, the water would collect around the foundations, water-logging the area and potentially causing serious damage.

What’s more, the guttering system and its components also helps to prevent damage to the roof and the walls of your building. If it isn’t functioning as it should, which is usually due to a build-up of materials (leaves, dirt, flowers, seeds and other debris), it’s unable to provide these important functions and your home is placed at great risk of water damage.

The Guttering System
The system comprises several components that work together to reroute the water that falls on your roof as rain away from your home and its foundations. These components are:

Gutter — This is the long tray that runs along the side of your roof to collect rainwater. Aluminium gutters are the most popular gutter material in Australia, though plastic and steel gutters (among other materials) are often used.
End cap — Depending on the guttering system, there’s an end cap on each end of the gutter. This component provides an end to the gutter so that water can’t flow out.
Downpipe — Through this component (which is located beneath the gutter) the water flows into the designated exit point, usually a drain.
These are the main components of a standard residential guttering system.