Gutters
Gutters can often be an afterthought when building a house. Most homeowners don’t think about their gutters until there is a problem. However, faulty or clogged gutters can cause several serious problems for a homeowner, which often cost thousands of dollars to repair:
- Water damage and basement flooding
- Wood rot throughout soffit and fascia
- Increased allergens in the air from moldy interior walls, mildewed basements, and the gutters themselves
- Breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests
While bad gutters can be a huge problem, gutters can also add tremendous value to any home.
- Choosing the correct size gutter and downspouts can prevent water damage.
- Choosing a complementary color gutter will add to the curb appeal of your house.
- Choosing proper gutter protection can allow a homeowner to spend less time cleaning out their gutters.
What to Look For
This guide will give you the information that you need to properly diagnose.
Gutter Size
Increasing the gutter size from 5″ to 6″ improves water flow by 50%. Many homes cannot carry all the water away from the home simply due to an incorrect gutter size.
6″ gutters also cover the fascia board on most homes, which helps the look of the home and minimizes any maintenance on the fascia.
The cost difference between 5″ and 6″ gutters is minimal compared to the benefits. We recommend 6″ gutters on most homes.
Downspouts
Many homes already have 3″x4″ downspouts, but take the time to confirm that the downspout size is correct.
A quick way to tell if you are looking at a 5″ or 6″ gutter is to reference where the 3×4 downspout meets the gutter outlet. If the 3″ side of the downspout is as large or larger than the bottom profile of the gutter, you are dealing with a 5″ or smaller gutter.
Spike and Ferrule
Spike and ferrule systems use long spikes which are driven through the front of the gutter and into the fascia. These spikes can back out over time leaving a highway for water to destroy the fascia and soffit behind your gutters. Also, the spikes can back out completely, causing changes to the pitch of the gutters. Incorrectly pitched gutters can cause other costly issues in the future.
It is also difficult to correctly install gutter protection over a spike and ferrule system.
Hidden Hangers
The hidden hanger system increases the gutter durability, prevents fascia wood rot, and improves the look of a home.
Hidden hangers screw directly into the fascia through the gutter for a stronger hold and a cleaner look from the street.
Gutter Protection
Gutter protection helps prevent downspout clogs and long-term water damage to the gutters. These systems keep large debris from slowing the water flow. They also help reduce maintenance on gutters, prolong the life of the gutter, and add to the curb appeal of the house by preventing clogs and debris.
Gutter Screens
Our basic gutter screens provide a lower level of gutter protection at a very reasonable cost. They keep out large debris and leaves, but may not keep out pine needles, shingle granules, or small debris.
EcoGuard
Made from recycled materials, the EcoGuard system is our midlevel gutter protection. This durable system has smaller holes which keep out more debris than the gutter screens and can be easier to maintain.
This system maintains a low profile which can help curb appeal.
Leaf Blaster Pro
The Leaf Blaster Pro System is our premium gutter screen option. The stainless steel micro-mesh keeps out almost all debris and also prevents animal disturbance.
The ridges keep debris up for easy maintenance and this system also has a low profile
Gutter Covers
The Gutter Lock system offers our highest level of gutter protection. The heavy gauge aluminum keeps out all but the smallest pieces of debris. This also comes in an Extreme Flow option for areas with higher water flow.
Multiple color options are available for these covers.
Unfortunately there is no such thing as a maintenance-free gutter protection system. Gutter screens protect the downspouts from large debris, but all systems require occasional maintenance.