Gutters are not something that you typically think of until they are malfunctioning. They are very important though because when they are not working properly this can cause damage to your foundation or water intrusion in your basement.
What is the Standard gutter size?
The standard K-Style gutter size for a residential house is five-inch. You can also get this style gutter in six-inch size.
In most cases five-inch should be sufficient, however, if you are having overflow problems six-inch may be a better option to move more water.
What are Splash Guards used for?
Splash guards are typically installed on inside corners of gutters or in an area where water is coming from an upper roofline. These will help prevent water from spilling over the gutter in areas of high water flow.
What size downspout should you use?
We offer downspouts that are 2×3 inch in size and 3×4 inch in size. If six-inch gutters are installed, 3×4 inch downspouts must be used. You can also install the larger 3×4 inch downspouts on your 5-inch gutters. It would be beneficial to use the larger 3×4 inch downspouts in all situations, these can handle more water flow.
For proper drainage, a downspout she be placed about every 40 linear feet.
Should you have Leaf Protection installed?
Some benefits to using Leaf Protection are that you are guaranteed you will not have a downspout clog and that it is easier to clean your gutters with Leaf Protection.
A common misconception about Leaf Protection is that it will make your gutters maintenance free. Even when you have Leaf Protection installed, there will still be some maintenance. They will need to be wiped off periodically. Just keep this in mind when deciding if Leaf Protection is for you.
At Carlson Exteriors, we use Shur FloX Leaf Protection. This is a product that is put on top of your gutter, it does not go underneath shingles. It will not void any roof warranty you may have.
