Gutterman of TN's Blog

Do I Need Oversized Gutters On My Home?

When it comes to gutters, one size does not fit all! The construction and needs of every house are different. In order to function properly and enhance the curb appeal of your home, you need to determine the right gutter for you. The Gutterman of TN uses the finest materials available, Advanced Gutter Systems TM and specializes in gutter installation.

Every homeowner should understand the purpose and structure of gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts channel water away from your structure and prevent water damage. When gutters leak, become blocked, or do not have an adequate capacity to channel water away, structure damage (both on the exterior and interior) to your home can occur, so can damage to the foundation, and soil erosion.

When determining which type gutters are best for your home or building many factors should be considered and you should consult with a gutter professional. The type roof on your home, as well as the climate in your area, your landscaping, and location of your home are all contributing factors when determining which type gutters are best for your home. In his article for the This Old House website, Thomas Baker explains, “Houses with big, steep roofs or those located in climates prone to heavy downpours may need wider gutters and extra downspouts to keep rainwater from overflowing.” Baker offers this example:

Sizing the Gutters

Multiply the drainage area by the roof-pitch factor and rainfall intensity to find out the adjusted square footage. Then use the chart below to see what size gutter you need. (If a roof’s various drainage areas call for different size gutters, go for the biggest one.)

K-Style

• 5-inch 5,520 square feet
• 6-inch 7,960 square feet

Half-round

• 5-inch 2,500 square feet
• 6-inch 3,840 square feet

For example: A house in Chicago has a roof whose actual drainage area is 1,000 square feet. The 6-in-12 pitch factor (1.1) multiplied by 1,000 yields an effective area of 1,100 square feet. Multiplying that number by the local maximum rainfall intensity (6.8 inches per hour) yields an adjusted square footage of 7,480 square feet. Therefore, this roof should be equipped with 6-inch K-style gutters.

If your run off is greater than the capacity of the charts there are several options including adding additional downspouts. Keep in mind that rectangular downspouts have a greater capacity than round ones. Seven and eight inch gutters are considered custom and available from a professional gutter installer.

The weather plays an important role when determining the correct size of your gutters. If you get substantial rains and ice, your gutters need to have a greater capacity to channel that water away from your home. The gutter experts at Old House advise homeowners,”Unfortunately, gutter systems take more abuse from extreme weather conditions than any other component of the building envelope. They are also subject to damage from ladders and being stepped on, as well as from falling tree limbs and debris. Wider gutters may be required for certain hard surface roofing materials, such as slate and tile, or used on steeply-pitched roofs, to prevent water from shooting over the gutter. Gutters should be positioned tight against roofing materials and the fascia.”

Whether you and your chimney professional determine you need regular or oversized gutters, it is imperative that you consult with and hire a gutter professional to install your gutters and downspouts. Residents of Nashville turn to The Gutterman of TN as the gutter professional they can trust. For more information on gutters, installation, and repairs contact The Gutterman.