Book 3, Question 64
Why Do Roofs Have Gutters?
A gutter is a rain ditch along the roof edge. It catches falling water, and sends it down a pipe, away from the walls. Let's see how it works!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 3
More fun facts
- Gutters and downspouts carry rainwater down and away from a building.
- Moving water away keeps the soil around the foundation from getting soaked.
- Experts suggest downspouts should end at least 5 feet away from the foundation.
- Sloping the ground away from a house also helps protect its foundation from water.
- After a volcano erupts, falling ash can clog gutters and drains and cause flooding and damage.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Where should a downspout send water?
Away from the house. Experts suggest it should end at least 5 feet from the foundation.