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Handyman Articles - Gutter Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
By Tina Gleisner, My Handyman

Question: Wouldn't the builder have installed gutters if they were necessary?
Answer: The builder will optimize their profits and gutters are not required. There are significant reasons why most homes do need gutters. The benefits of gutters include:

Directing water away from the basement, siding, doors, patios and walkways.
Minimizing water entering the house through open doors, sliders and/or windows.
Minimizing sinking/cracking of concrete slabs by maintaining a consistent level of moisture in the surrounding soil to avoid expansion and contraction.
Protecting doors, windows and siding from splash back (water bouncing off the ground and back to the house) which can cause water damage.
Protecting wood, brick and concrete from discoloration and drip lines.
Stopping erosion of landscaping around the house provided gutters direct water far enough away that gravity will continue moving the water further away.

Question: What type of gutters should I install?
Answer: The most debated choice is traditional (assemble components) versus seamless gutters, which claim to eliminate leaks. The truth is seamless gutters still have seams at each end, and every time the gutter turns a corner. You should not buy "seamless" gutters just because they "don't leak."

Question: How do I select the correct gutters for my home?
Answer: You want to pick gutters based on how long they will last. The best aluminum gutters are .032 inches thick. Thiner materials can dent or crease when a branch or ladder hit it. Floating hangers allow the gutters to expand and contract (due to changes in temperature) which should reduce repairs.

Question: What material and color choices do I have?
Answer: Aluminum gutters are a great product as they do not rust, are available in popular colors and can be painted to match other colors, i.e. your trim. While aluminum will not rust, it will corrode when it comes into contact with other metals like steel or copper so you have to separate these materials with rubber or heavy plastic. Copper gutters are also popular but more expensive.

Question: What size gutters do I need, and how many downspouts?
Answer: 5 inch gutters are the most common, and they work with downspouts that are 2 x 3 inches. A 2 x 3 downspouts can carry the average rainfall from 600 sq ft of roof area (a 3 x 4 inch downspout will handle twice the volume or 1200 sq ft, and require the larger 6 in gutters.) A common problem is too few downspouts so when in doubt, add an extra downspout. Do not forget to place strainers in the outlets to avoid clogs, as inevitably this is where the most time is spent cleaning gutters.

Question: What about covered gutters, the kind that leaves do not get in?
Answer: These are referred to as "leaf covers" or "gutter guards." They reduce the frequency you need to clean your gutters (fine silt will always find its way in) but more important, they will prevent clogged gutters and keep the water running freely. As long as the water is draining, the still water that is a breeding ground for mosquitoes will be eliminated and water will not spill over and cause potential problems to your foundation or siding.

My Handyman offers GutterStuff which can be installed with new or existing gutters.

Question: How often do you need to clean gutters?
Answer: Each house is different, and cleaning is based on the number of trees around your house. With typical coverage, most houses need gutters cleaned twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. If you only have trees on one side of the house, the side without tree coverage may only need to be cleaned once a year. Leaf covers will reduce the frequency of cleaning even further but again, each house is different.

Tina Gleisner, president of My Handyman of Southern NH, is a member of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of NH and 4 Walls 1 Roof, a network of women owned businesses helping home owners Create - Maintain - Enhance their homes. She writes articles that address her customers questions and concerns, and publishes Handyman News. Copyright © 2008 4 Walls 1 Roof LLC.

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