Proper installation is vital to the continued performance of your new gutter system. With this, you can prevent foundation problems, basement flooding, landscaping erosion and home exterior damage, among other things. To ensure the success of this project and get the most out of your investment, the following three key elements must be taking into consideration:

1. Proper Sizing

Proper gutter sizing is crucial for a variety of reasons. For one, the gutters need to be capable of directing water runoff away from your property. There should be enough headroom to accommodate unusually high rainfall volume without causing rainwater to spill over the sides and onto your home’s landscaping and the area near your foundations. Expect water to overflow with undersized gutters, even during moderate rainfall. Oversized gutters, meanwhile, tend to have standing water.

To ensure proper gutter sizing, you must consider the total surface area of the roof. This can be derived from the roof installation plans or can be manually calculated if not readily available. Another factor to consider is the rainfall intensity of the local area where you live, measured in inches per hour.

2. Proper Pitch 

Gutters that run the length of your roofline might look straight when seen from the curb, but that isn’t necessarily true. In fact, they have a slight pitch or slope to allow rainwater to flow downward to the downspouts. The lack of it can cause water to pool inside your gutters, causing leaks, overflows and water damage.

Standard gutter sloping rules must be followed to the letter to ensure the gutters’ long-term function. While factors like the roof structure, type of gutter and gutter length will determine the distance between the pitches and the depth of the slopes, a good rule of thumb would be to set a quarter-inch slope for every 10 feet of gutter. Of course, the pitch should be geared toward the nearest downspout, which should then be installed every 20 to 40 feet of gutter run.

3. Experienced Contractor

The professional gutter installers at Exterior Building Solutions have the expertise and skill to determine the correct size and pitch for your new gutters. Instead of you having to take the DIY route, we’ll take on the job so you can rest easy knowing that your investment will work as intended for a long time. We have a trained professional crew that observes proper installation best practices, from taking accurate measurements and spacing the hangers correctly to choosing the best gutter materials for your home.

Exterior Building Solutions is the premier company you can count on for safe and worry-free home improvement services. Get started on your gutter installation and other home upgrades today by calling us at (314) 470-8783 or filling out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve the areas in and around St. Louis and Chesterfield.