Gutter Considerations
When gutters are clean and free of damage, they’re able to catch water runoff and safeguard your home’s structural integrity. A few factors to consider when selecting a gutter system include how well it holds up in your climate as well as the appearance, material, ease of maintenance and life span. Gutters can do more than protect your home. They’re also a way for you to conserve water by directing it into a rain barrel. For more on rain barrels, read How to Buy, Install and Use a Rain Barrel.
How to Know When You Need to Repair or Replace Gutters
Obvious wear and tear on existing gutters are sure signs that they need replacing. Gutters that no longer work as designed can cause different types of damage, including basement flooding and soil erosion. The following are some signs of wear to look out for.
Sagging or Pulling Away
When the gutter is sagging in places or pulling away from the house, it may be a sign that you have loose, missing or bent brackets or a rotting fascia board. It could also be an indication that the gutters are full of water, which could mean they’re not draining properly.
Seam Breaks
When the watertight seal between gutter sections breaks, it could result in leaks or other damage.
Cracks or Fractures
Whether small or large, cracks lead to leaks and compromise the structural integrity of the gutter.
Discoloration
Cracks in the gutter system can lead to discoloration on the fascia, downspouts or sides of your home.
Foundation Issues
When you notice mildew, standing water, algae or cracks in the foundation, this could indicate that the gutter is leaking and moisture is seeping into the soil underneath the home.
Peeling Paint
Since gutters are coated to protect them from moisture and water, peeling paint is a sign that moisture damage has already begun. Likewise, if the home’s exterior paint is peeling or chipping, the gutters aren’t keeping water away from the home.
Rust
As with peeling paint, when rust appears on the gutter, the protective coating has been worn away. This is damage that, once it starts, only gets worse.
Fallen Hardware
Screws and nails on the ground beneath your gutters may be a sign of wear and tear. These fasteners are used to keep the gutters attached to the roof. While they can be replaced, if it’s a repeated occurrence, it may be a sign that a section of the gutter or the entire gutter system needs to be replaced.
Gutter Styles
K-style gutters are the most common gutter style, especially in modern homes. With a unique shape that resembles crown moulding, K-style gutters are an attractive choice that complements the home. They curve out on the bottom and top and, when viewed from the side, bear a vague resemblance to the letter K.
Because of the folds and bends in K-style gutters, their rigid structure is stronger than other gutter styles and can handle more water during heavy rains.
Half-round gutters are shaped like tubes cut in half lengthwise. They’re often found on older homes. Half-round gutters are easy to clean and less likely to clog because of the smoothness of the shape.
Box-style gutters are typically used on industrial and commercial buildings. They’re oversized gutters designed for large roofs to handle large amounts of water.
Gutter Colors
If you think that white or off-white gutters are your only option, think again. Black gutters and downspouts would coordinate well with a house that has thick, black trim or minimal trim and a black roof. It's not uncommon to see white houses with black gutters that are painted to match the roof. You can also find gutters in brown and clay colors. If you cannot purchase gutters already fabricated in the color you're looking for, you can paint them or have them professionally painted.
Gutter Materials
Finding the right gutter for your home is an important decision. You want to make sure you choose not only the right type but the right material, as well. Gutters are available in a variety of materials.
Aluminum is the most popular gutter material. It’s lightweight and easy to install. Aluminum gutters come in a wide range of colors, they can withstand cold climates and they don’t rust. They’re durable and have a life span of about 20 years.
Vinyl is lightweight and easy to work with and install for do-it-yourself (DIY) installations. As with aluminum, you never have to worry about them rusting but they could crack over time in extremely cold conditions. While vinyl gutters can last for up to 20 years, they may only last for about 10 years in cold and wet environments.
Galvanized steel gutters are steel gutters that have been immersed in molten zinc. This process strengthens the metal, which protects the gutters from rust. Like aluminum gutters, they have an average life span of 20 years. You may also find copper and zinc gutters, which are low-maintenance, durable options.
Gutter Sizes
Gutters aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re commonly available in a few different sizes: 4 inches, 5 inches or 6 inches. While annual rainfall varies from region to region, most homes are able to use standard 5-inch K-style gutters or 6-inch half-round gutters. Gutter sizing depends on the draining area (the square footage of the roof surface), the roof’s pitch and the rainfall intensity. Steeper roofs will need larger gutters to avoid overwhelming the gutter capacity.
For accurate results, a professional installer can help you determine the type, size and amount of gutter components you’ll need for your home.
Traditional Gutters or Seamless Gutters
Traditional gutters, also known as regular gutters, come in pre-cut sections, usually in lengths of 10 or 20 feet. The sections are joined with gutter connectors and sealed at the joints to prevent any leaks.
Seamless gutters, also known as continuous gutters, are one entire piece of material that’s custom-fit on-site for your home. Unlike traditional gutters, seamless gutters lack joints, which helps to protect against leaks. Seamless gutters are a low-maintenance option and have an increased resistance to damage. They’re also less prone to sagging because there aren’t any joints that cause weak points.
Installing traditional gutters is well within the grasp of DIYers. But if your home has more than one story or if you’re not ready to tackle the project, Lowe’s can help with professional gutter installation.
Anatomy of a Gutter System
A gutter system is made up of various parts that all work together to help your home handle water runoff.
1. End Cap: a fitting that attaches to the horizontal end of the gutter and is sealed to prevent water from flowing out.
2. Hanger: a bracket that mounts the gutters to the roof.
3. Gutter: the vessel that channels rainwater from the roof to the downspout and away from the house.
4. Inside Corner: also known as an inside miter box, this is a fitting that connects two sections of gutter that meet at an inside corner.
5. Outside Corner: also known as an outside miter box, this is a fitting that connects two sections of gutter that meet at an outside corner.
6. Joiner: also known as a gutter connector, this is a fitting that joins gutters and corners to redirect rainwater runoff.
7. Elbow: an angled downspout that changes the direction of the water to the side or front.
8. Gutter End With Drop: a fitting that attaches the horizontal gutter to the downspout to guide roof runoff away from the house.
9. Downspout Band: a fitting that holds the downspout securely to the house.
10. Downspout: a gutter section that runs the water vertically down from the roof to the ground.
Some gutter systems also include:
- Gutter Guard: a panel that attaches to the top of gutters to keep them free of leaves, twigs, pine needles and other debris.
- Downspout Extension: a connection that extends the downspout a minimum of 4 feet that allows for a controlled diversion of water away from the home’s foundation.
- Downspout Guard: a fitting that prevents leaves and other debris from clogging the downspout.
Tips to Help Extend the Life of Your Gutters
Gutters are a major investment. While they generally have a long life span, there are things you can do to help protect them and extend their usefulness.
- Clean your gutters twice a year — in the spring and fall.
- Apply sealant at joints and seams.
- When power washing the house, avoid using chemicals that are abrasive since they can damage the gutters.
- If you notice small cracks in your gutters, apply sealant.
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For larger cracks and other abnormalities, or if you're not comfortable doing the job yourself, contact a professional for repair.