Your roof is the only barrier shielding your house from weather-related ruin, while gutters provide protection to this shield. By preventing water overflow and accumulating heavy flows of liquid away from landscapes, they ensure that no damage is caused to both foundations as well as exteriors. In other words, gutters are necessary for an efficient functioning of roofs and guards them against any potential destruction!
Before investing in a new gutter for your home, it is important to evaluate certain key aspects to make sure the job is done right and value for money. Whether you don’t have one or simply need an upgrade from the outdated version, making wise choices will help guarantee success.
Gutter installation may seem intimidating, but it is a fairly straightforward process. Of course, for your gutters to function optimally, they must be properly installed. The simplest gutter system will only require one run along the shed roof and positioning a downspout in one corner. However, if you have multiple levels of roofs or varied angles of pitch, this could marginally increase the difficulty of the task at hand.
No matter the proportions of your rooftop and how often you experience heavy downpours, a customized system is necessary to ensure proper coverage. Bear in mind that geographical location plays a significant role – even two neighboring cities can have entirely disparate results from a five minute deluge. Therefore, it’s imperative that when designing gutters and determining their size and breadth all possible variables are taken into account for optimal efficiency.
The water collection system includes more than just gutters; pitch and downspouts are necessary components as well. A standard 5k gutter coupled with a 2×3 inch downspout can comfortably manage 600 square feet, while a 3×4 inch spout is sufficient for 1,200 square feet of coverage.
For best performance, install a quarter-inch of pitch for every ten feet and one downspout for each 40 linear feet. For example, two downspouts would be necessary on the ends of a 50 foot run. While steeper inclines enhance the flow of water, it can cause challenges during installation.
Whether you require a gutter guard is dependent on both your home’s location and the way of life that you lead. If there are a large number of trees near your house, then it would be wise to invest in one in order to prevent leaves and pine needles from blocking up the gutters. Nevertheless, if you possess an efficient maintenance plan when it comes to cleaning out those same gutters, then chances are a gutter guard might not even be necessary for your situation.
Searching for a gutter technician? Contact the professional remodeling contractors at GTFM Design & Build for a complimentary in-home design consultation today!