Gutters need to be sized properly or they won’t work correctly. In this blog, Gutter Helmet® Systems of Alabama shares why gutter sizing is important and what makes Gutter Helmet a good investment, according to gutter guard reviews.
The Importance of Gutter Sizing
Rainwater needs to be properly routed away from your home to avoid damaging your foundation. The soil around the house needs to have a certain level of moisture; too much of it can soften the soil and make the house settle. The concrete that makes up your home’s foundation readily absorbs moisture and can become brittle if it absorbs too much. The gutters need to be large enough to avoid overflowing rainwater, but shouldn’t be too deep that rainwater stands in them.
How Gutters Are Sized
There are two standard gutter profiles. K-Style gutters feature flat backs and bottoms, with an outer profile that looks like crown molding when viewed from the ground. Half-round gutters feature a shallow U-shaped profile and typically have lower capacity than K-style gutters of the same width. While both gutter profiles are available in widths between 4 and 8 inches, residential gutters are usually 5 to 6 inches wide.
Gutter contractors determine the proper gutter size based on three factors. The first is the roof area, which is bigger than the floor plan. In fact, the more peaks there are, the bigger the roof area will be. The second is the roof pitch. The steeper the roof, the more quickly rainwater accumulates in the gutters, and therefore the higher the gutter capacity should be. The third factor is the average annual rainfall in the area, as recorded by the National Weather Service. All these factors together will determine the right gutter profile and size for your home.
Gutter Helmet Systems of Alabama is your leading provider of gutter protection systems. Check out our gutter guard reviews and give us a call at (866) 598-7525 or fill out our contact form. We serve homeowners in Chelsea, AL.
