Rain Gutter Questions

Are all rain gutters the same?
No. All rain gutters have the same function, routing the runoff from a very large surface--your roof--to proper drainage away from the house. However, rain gutters come in different materials, profile, sizes, and color. The standard profiles are a simple "U" shape and a "K" style, which has a ogee-shaped front, vaguely reminiscent of the letter "K." Some are pre-formed and are joined together with connectors and some, seamless gutters, are custom made for your home

What are seamless gutters?
Seamless gutters are today’s most popular type of rain gutter. They are made from a metal “coil” stock and are extruded using a special machine brought to your home by a gutter fabricator. The biggest selling point is that, as the name implies, they don’t have potentially leaky seams along their lengths. The lengths join to inside and outside corner components and downspout outlets. They are usually formed from aluminum that has a baked on finish.

Why do I need leaf guards?
Properly designed rain gutters are an integral part of a home’s exterior. Old, clogged, damaged or defective rain gutters can cause a lot of damage. When water is not diverted properly and overflows into either the house or the foundation, this can cause wood to rot, foundation problems, and landscape erosion. In addition to the damage to your home, a clogged gutter is also perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, mosquito, and other pests. Leaf Guards allows water to flow freely while debris is lifted away from gutters with a gentle breeze. A favorite among builders and contractors is made of a rigid expanded steel mesh. Lock-On is very durable and has a low visibility once installed.

Why do I need rain gutters?

1. Foundation problems... The expansion and contraction of the soils around your home is the number one contributing factor to slab failure. After a period of rainy weather, the soils around a home become saturated with moisture and expand. As the soils dry, they contract. With this repeating cycle, supports to the foundation can be compromised leading to cracked foundations and masonry.

2. Staining of Masonry and Siding... Rainwater cascading off an unguttered roof will hit the ground with enough force to cause a splash back. Within this splash back are dirt, grass and minerals that end up on the exterior of your home. Over a short period of time, a stain appears that can be difficult to remove or hide.

3. Damage to Landscape... Plants, flowers, mulch and soil under the drip line of an unguttered roof can suffer from the water runoff of a thunderstorm. Additionally, this runoff can result in an over watering condition that could permit harmful fungus to develop as well as attract ants, roaches and termites. A properly designed and installed gutter system keeps the soil surrounding your home at a constant moisture level by directing roof runoff safely away from the house.