Gutters do one job: collect the water that runs off the roof and carry it somewhere it cannot hurt the house. When they work, nobody notices them. When they fail, water spills over the edge, soaks the soil next to the foundation, stains siding and rots fascia boards. Seamless gutters are the most common choice on homes today because they remove most of the joints where older sectional gutters leak.
What "seamless" means
Sectional gutters come in short pieces that are joined together along the run, and every joint is a place that can leak as sealant ages. Seamless gutters are formed on site by a machine that rolls a coil of aluminum into a continuous gutter cut to the exact length of each roof edge. The only joints left are at the corners and where downspouts connect.
What the work involves
The installer measures every roof edge, removes old gutters if there are any, and checks the fascia board behind them for rot. New gutters are set with a slight slope toward each downspout so water does not sit in the trough, then fastened with hidden hangers spaced along the run. Downspouts are placed so each one drains a reasonable share of the roof, and the bottoms are pointed or extended away from the foundation.
Sizes and materials
- Five-inch K-style gutters are the most common size on homes.
- Six-inch gutters carry noticeably more water and suit large roofs, steep roofs and areas with heavy downpours.
- Aluminum is the usual material: light, rust-resistant and available in many colors. Thicker gauges resist dents from ladders and falling branches.
- Copper and steel are less common and cost more, but are used on some higher-end homes.
Questions worth asking
- What size gutters and downspouts do you recommend for my roof, and why?
- What thickness of aluminum do you use?
- How far apart will the hangers be?
- Is removal and disposal of the old gutters included?
- Will you replace any rotted fascia board, and how is that priced?
- Where will the downspouts discharge?
How long it takes
Most homes are done in a single day. Two-story homes, complicated rooflines or fascia repairs can add time. Because the gutters are formed on site, there is usually no wait for materials once you choose a color.
Signs you need new gutters
Water overflowing in moderate rain, sagging or pulling-away sections, rust or cracks, peeling paint and rot behind the gutter, and soil washing out below the roof edge are the most common signs. If gutters are old and the roof is being replaced, doing both together is often simpler.
