Rain gutters – those trusty, horizontal channels that go around the roof of your home – are an amazingly simple and effective means of carrying rainwater and melting snow off the roof and away from your home.
They’re so effective, in fact, that virtually every northern Utah home has them. If you’re a homeowner, that means you will inevitably have to deal with maintenance, repair, cleaning and possibly even gutter replacement.
Knowing the major components of the system and their function can help you navigate the conversation with your gutter installer and help you make informed decisions.
Seamless Rain Gutters
If you go the DIY route, you’ll have to purchase sectional gutter parts at the home improvement warehouse. When you work with an experienced contractor, you’ll get the benefit of having truly seamless gutters fabricated specifically for your home.
Seamless designs last longer, look better, and require less maintenance and repair. They also provide better protection from water damage and foundation settling.
Downspouts
This is one term that most everyone knows. Downspouts (sometimes called downpipes) run vertically and are responsible for transporting water out of the gutters and away from the structure. You can choose the shape and color that best matches your gutters as well as your home’s architectural style and exterior color palette.
Bonus Term: Pipe cleats are the hangers we typically use to attach the downspouts to your house – although we have alternate methods we can use when necessary.
Fascia
Although not technically a part of the gutter system, fascia is the flat, horizontal surface just below the roof, covering the ends of the roof’s rafters. This is typically the location where your gutters will be installed, using standard or hidden hangers. Hidden hangers are invisible from the outside, creating a clean, finished look for your system.
Gutter Profile
This term refers to the style of your guttering. You have many profile options to choose from, based on the architectural style of your home and the look you want to achieve. Options range from the very basic, industrial box profile to the more ornate, sculpted look of K-gutters and D-gutters. For a more unique look, ask us about quarter-round and half-round profiles, beveled boxes and other custom profiles.
Gutter Guards
Although these components are optional, we often recommend them to our clients because they make good economic sense.
Gutter guards (screens, covers) filter out the majority of leaves and debris that cause clogs and other potential problems, while letting water flow through freely. With a minimal investment upfront, you won’t have to have your system cleaned or maintained as often and you will extend the life of your gutters and downspouts.
Miters and End Caps and Elbows, Oh My!
Finally, we have the parts and pieces that pull it all together. Miters join two sections together at a corner. End caps close off sections and ensure that water flows in the direction it’s supposed to, rather than draining irresponsibly. Elbows are attached to the bottom portion of the downspouts and ensure that flow is directed where it belongs, rather than ponding around your home’s foundation.
Gutter Boys serves customers in Sandy, Utah and throughout the Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front areas. We are the locally owned and operated experts. Contact us today to request your personalized consultation and cost estimate. We know you’ll see why our customers call us the best gutter company in northern Utah!
