Gutters
Gutters keep water away from your home's foundation, prevent basement flooding, and much more.

A Beginner's Guide to Gutter Basics

Gutters play an integral yet often overlooked role in home maintenance. By channeling rainwater runoff away from your home's foundation and landscaping, they prevent expensive water damage and flooding. For any homeowner, especially those new to DIY projects, understanding the basics of gutters is essential.

This guide will cover everything you need to know as a beginner about the purpose, types, installation, and maintenance of gutters. With the right knowledge, you can ensure your gutters are always in top shape to protect your home.

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Why Are Gutters Essential?

Gutters serve several crucial functions in protecting your home. Here's why they should be a priority:

The primary purpose of gutters is to gather the rainwater that flows off your roof and redirect it safely away from the house. Without functioning gutters, the roof runoff would pour down the exterior walls and pool around the foundation. This can lead to wall and siding damage from water constantly hitting the exterior, basement flooding from water seeping through cracks in the foundation, erosion, and sinking of the foundation over time, and mold buildup on walls from excess moisture.

As a drainage system, gutters seamlessly catch and divert water into downspouts. Downspouts are vertical pipes that direct water from the gutters away from your home. This water protection is why properly installed and maintained gutters are so crucial.

Another key benefit of gutters is that they prevent the soil around your home from becoming overly saturated. Without gutters, the heavy rains would release torrents of water along the edges of your roofing that would pour directly onto the surrounding soil. The result is often tree roots sitting in soggy soil and becoming prone to rotting, flower beds getting flooded and damaging plants, and grass patches near the home drowning from excess runoff.

By channeling roof runoff out and away from your home in a controlled manner, gutters greatly reduce the risk of flooding and damaged landscaping. Your plants will certainly appreciate properly functioning gutters!

While they work hard behind the scenes, well-functioning gutters provide aesthetic appeal. Seamless gutters especially can make your home exterior look clean and polished. Gutters also boost your home's value for any future sale. Their water protection keeps the foundation intact and prevents minor issues from becoming major repairs down the road. So keeping your gutters in good shape pays off in protecting your home investment long-term.


The Best Gutter Guard Options for Your Home


Now that you know why gutters are so important, let's review some of the most common types available:

Gutter TypeAverage Total Installation Cost
Vinyl$1,328–$1,520
Aluminum$1,782–$1,839
Galvanized Steel$1,958–$2,300
Zinc$2,510–$5,788
Copper$3,310–$6,590

Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum gutters on a nice home

The go-to choice for many homeowners is aluminum gutters. This metal is affordable, durable, and lightweight. Aluminum resists rust and provides seamless installation. It comes in many colors to match your home's trim. On average, aluminum gutters cost $4-7 per linear foot installed. On the downside, aluminum is prone to dents and scratches over time. It also requires regular maintenance to avoid clogs from leaves and debris. Over time, the color may fade unevenly.

Vinyl Gutters

For a lower maintenance option, vinyl is another top material for gutters. Available in white and brown tones, vinyl resists dents and rust quite well. As sections snap together, DIY installation is achievable for the handy homeowner. However, vinyl can become brittle and crack in extreme cold. It also lacks the more elegant, finished look of metal gutters. Over time, vinyl tends to fade and sag. Vinyl gutters average $3-5 per linear foot installed.

Copper Gutters

For a premium upgrade, copper gutters offer superior durability and aesthetics. Copper develops an appealing verdigris patina over time. This material is very heavy yet sturdy and resistant to all weather conditions. The only downside is the higher initial cost, around $10-15 per linear foot installed. But for a long-lasting, high-end look, copper is worth considering.


More Information on Gutter Materials


Gutter Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and maintenance are key once you've chosen the right gutter system. When installing new gutters, you have two options – DIY or hiring a professional gutter contractor. Let's look at the pros and cons of each approach.

DIY vs Professional Installation

Installing vinyl or aluminum gutters yourself can save on labor costs if you have the time and DIY skills. But unless you're highly experienced, consider hiring a contractor for metal gutters. Their precision ensures your gutters will be sloped correctly to drain. The ideal slope is 1/4 inch drop per 10 feet of gutter length. This slight angle allows water to flow smoothly. Contractors also have equipment to safely install seamless gutters at heights. Seamless systems are less prone to leaks compared to seamed gutters. And with heavy copper gutters, professional expertise is a must. The weight and fabrication process make DIY installation difficult and best left to the professionals.

Regular Maintenance Tips

Even quality gutters need periodic cleaning and checks. You should clear any leaves, sticks, or debris from gutters at least twice yearly, as blockages can lead to clogs and overflow issues over time. After heavy storms, ensure downspouts are draining properly and dislodge any stuck debris. Use a garden hose occasionally to wash out gutters, providing clear drainage holes. Inspect for leaks, rust spots, damage, or sagging and address any issues promptly. With regular maintenance, your gutters will function smoothly for many years to come. It's the best way to protect your home investment.


What Are Common Gutter Issues and Solutions?

While gutters are durable, certain problems can arise. Here's how to identify and fix the most common gutter issues:

Gutter leaks usually occur at seams or rust spots. Signs include water dripping from seams and streaking on exterior walls below gutters. For minor leaks, caulk small holes and separations. For larger cracks or holes, patch with gutter repair compound or replace the damaged section. To prevent leaks, ensure gutters are pitched to properly drain water. Check for blockages forcing water over edges.

Gutters may begin to sag and pull away from fascia over time. This allows water to spill over the sides. To fix sagging gutters, re-secure them with new hangers no more than 3 feet apart. Avoid overloading gutters with leaves by regular cleaning.

Heavy rain can sometimes overload clogged gutters, forcing water to run over the sides. To prevent overflow issues, regularly clear debris with a gutter scoop and install gutter guards to keep out leaves while allowing water to flow through small holes. Extending downspouts further from the home can also help manage high rain volume.

The prices of home mortgage loans are determined by the lender, who investigates your FICO score with three main credit bureaus. Then, they calculate your loan-to-value ratio — this is the amount of the requested loan compared to the home’s appraised value.

Lenders also use this ratio to decide whether you need to pay for private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender by sharing a part of the risk with a mortgage insurer. If an LTV is higher than 80 percent, meaning that you own less than 20 percent equity in the home, most lenders will require a PMI for the loan.

For many people, a home loan is the biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make, so it’s important to learn and understand all the options before making decisions.

First-time buyers are at a slight advantage, as the federal government often offers incentives such as reduced deposit requirements.

Top Pick

275-micron stainless steel mesh design

Lifetime installation warranty

Offers new gutter installation services

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
Get 15% Off Your Full-Service Gutter Installation
Most Durable

Manufactured to match your home

One-piece system includes a guard and gutter

Guaranteed not to clog

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
75% Off Installation
Best Customer Service
gutter guards america logo

Sturdy aluminum frame and steel screens

Offers 0% financing

Provides gutter repair & installation

GET QUOTE
Limited Time:
Get $500 off in select locations!

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, understanding the basics of gutters, from their essential purpose to proper maintenance, is key knowledge for any homeowner. Though an often overlooked aspect of home care, quality gutters serve the invaluable purpose of protecting your home's foundation, exterior walls, landscaping, and overall value. With regular upkeep and prompt repairs, your gutter system will effectively redirect rainwater away from your house for many years.

While DIY gutter installation is feasible for some homeowners, professional installation is often recommended to ensure proper slope and drainage. Investing in gutter guards can greatly reduce the need for cleaning and prevent clogs and overflow issues. By safeguarding your home with well-functioning gutters, you'll avoid minor maintenance issues from escalating into major repairs and water damage down the road. With the right gutters, you can rest assured knowing your most valuable asset is protected from the elements.


Frequently Asked Questions About Gutter Basics

How long should gutters last?

With proper maintenance, aluminum, and vinyl gutters typically last 10-20 years. Copper gutters can last 50 years or longer.


When should I clean my gutters?

It’s best to clear debris from gutters in early spring and fall. Additional cleanings after heavy leaf falls will help avoid clog issues.


What's the best gutter material for heavy rain?

For wet climates, copper resists rust and withstands heavy rainfall well. This material sheds water faster than aluminum or vinyl.


Are gutter guards worth it?

Yes, gutter guards are a wise investment to keep leaves and debris from clogging systems. Just ensure guards don’t block proper water flow when installed.


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