If you want leaf protection for your gutter;

• A leaf cover that is solid and has a curve at the front is a good choice
• Some gutters that have a built in cover are overpriced

Labels: Leaf covers for your gutter

Rain chains for gutters
A rain chain is used in the place of a downspout. The water flows out of the gutter and down the chain of decorative buckets in the chain. It is a pretty way to have the sound of a waterfall right next to your house. But don't forget to divert the water away from your foundation at the bottom of the chain.

Labels: Gutter Rain Chains

How much pitch or slope should a gutter have?

• Excessive pitch looks sloppy
• Zero pitch is acceptable on a gutter less than 40 ft
• Standard pitch for a gutter is 1/4 inch drop per 10 ft of gutter

Labels: Pitching a gutter

Every gutter needs the proper size downspout

1. A 2x3 downspout can handle 650 square feet of roof area
2. A 3x4 downspout can handle 1200 square feet of roof area

It is best to have the same size spouting all around your house.

Labels: Sizing the downspout for your gutter

A gutter that isn't supported well at the fron lip will sag.

• spikes aren't the best gutter support because they pull out
• standard hidden hangers alone need a roof strap to prevent a sagging gutter
• roof straps alone allow the gutter to sag because there is no internal gutter support
• a hidden hanger with a roof strap is a very strong choice
• a Sampson gutter hanger is the best choice because it is hidden and needs no other support to hold up the gutter

Labels: gutter support choices to prevent sagging

Repairing a sagging gutter is easy;

• Start at the ends and lift the front of the gutter untill it is level
• Install a Sampson gutter hanger to make the repair
• Stretch a string from one end of the gutter to the other, at the top/front
• Move along the gutter and pull it up to the string and install Sampson guter hangers

Labels: Repairing a sagging gutter

Problems with a gutter comes in many forms;

• A clogged gutter is due to not cleaning them in the spring and fall
• A sagging gutter is due to poor quality brackets that are weak and not doing their job
• Standing water in your gutter is caused by sagging or a poorly piched installation (up to 1/2 inch of standing water is normal)
• Water leaking behind your gutter is caused by improperly flashing the gutter to the roof

Labels: gutter problems

Be cautious when choosing a gutter installer.

1. A gutter that is installed with a run of the mill bracket doesn't hold up well.
2. If your installer uses a high quality support bracket in your gutter, the result is much better.
3. Often it is only a matter of pennies more for a better gutter bracket, but it is up to the homeowner to reques it.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for the best support brackets available. Your cost for an average job would be less than a $40 additional cost.

Labels: Gutter Bracket choices

A gutter has the important function of collecting roof runoff in the gutter and diverting it away from the foundation with a downspout.

A metal gutter is the best choice. Extruded gutter can be made of aluminum, copper or steel.

1. Copper gutter is pretty but expensive
2. Steel gutter is likely to rust through in the long run
3. Aluminum gutter is the best choice over all

Continuous gutter, or seamless, is by far the best gutter system to choose.

Be sure and choose the best possible bracket to install with your gutter. It is the backbone of the entire system.

Labels: gutter