Information

THE PURPOSE OF GUTTERING SYSTEMS

The purpose of guttering systems is to collect water (rain) from the roofing area and disperse the water away from your home. Properly configured downspouts (leaders, drain pipes) are very essential.

A faulty guttering system can contribute to damage to Soffit & Fascia, Shingles, Building Foundations, Driveways, Walkways, Landscaping.

Guttering systems require maintenance to insure protection for your home. Make sure your gutters are free from debris, leaves, granules from shingles, birds nest. The extreme exposure to nature can also cause sealant failures. Snow & Ice can loosen fasteners and should be repaired immediately to prevent costly repairs.

(We always recommend a professional for maintaining your Guttering System)

Seamless Gutters

There are many different gutter materials to choose from, including steel, aluminum, vinyl, copper. Many types of gutters (steel and vinyl in particular) are sold in 10' lengths and require dozens of seams fastened with slip fittings, each one is a weak spot and a potential leak site. Another alternative well worth considering is the installation of seamless aluminum gutters. Seamless gutters must be fabricated on-site by a professional contractor.

The term seamless gutters can be confusing because there are seams in the system. The seams are only at the corners and downspout outlets.These joints are fastened more securely and sealed for stability and leak resistance. The Seamless Gutter itself is continuous which makes them both strong and visually more appealing.

Selecting a Contractor

Your first step is to select a contractor. As with any contractor selection, look for a company with an established reputation, and confirm their current status with your local licensing authority. The contractor will need to make a site visit to measure your home and discuss your options. At the time of the contractor's visit, request a sample of the proposed gutter so you can see the colors, sizes and quality of the material. You'll also want to look at a list of references with addresses so you can drive by and take a look at the finished product. When you make your final choice, be sure and get a detailed estimate in writing and payment arrangements are clearly stated.

How to Determine Gutters & Downspouts

• The most commonly used is the 5" Seamless Gutter
• 2 x 3 downspout for every 600 square ft. of roofing area.
• 3 x 4 downspout for every 1200 square ft. of roofing area.
• For example: If your roof is 40ft. long and 16ft. to the peak.
• 40 x 16 = 640square ft. area *Requires (2) 2x3 downspouts or (1) 3x4 downpout
• 6" Seamless Gutters may be required to accomadate steep pitch roofs or slate & tile and should always be used with 3x4 downspouts

INSTALLATION

For the average house, installation will be done in one day. The contractor will arrive with a truck- or trailer-mounted seamless gutter machine with the color you've selected.

Each piece is measured individually, and the seamless gutter machine to create a continuous piece of gutter that is custom sized.

The contractor will typically also have a couple of attachment options to offer you. One is the spike and ferrule - a hollow tube is placed inside the gutter to keep it from bending, then a long spike is driven through the face of the gutter at the top, through the ferrule and into the wood facia board.

A better option is the inside bracket, hidden bracket - different companies will have different names for this - which interlocks into the gutter for a cleaner look and which is then attached to the roof under the shingles for superior strength.

The last step is the installation of the downspouts, which will be located as needed according to the amount of roof runoff each section of gutter has to handle, as well as the where the best location is for directing the runoff away from the house.

The price of the downspouts should be included in your estimate, but make sure the contractor has discussed downspout locations and options for water disposal with you so you know what to expect before the job starts.