How Should Gutters Work

Gutters are placed at the leading edges of the roof.

How should gutters work.

Rain gutters play an essential role in collecting roof runoff during a storm. Gutter installation should follow a couple basic rules. In many cases this area is simply far enough away from the house to avoid foundation damage. Water gutters are installed along the roof line and eaves of a house.

Quality downspouts expel water well away from the house. Usually gutters are installed on a slight slope that encourages the water to run away from the house and toward downspouts that are installed at the corners of the house. There they collect the torrents of water that come from the roof during rainstorms and direct them to a safe area for discharge via downspouts. Snap the sections together.

Depending on the system gutters are either nailed to the fascia with a clip or spike and ferrule hanger as shown at left or hung from the sheathing along the eaves before the roof is shingled which is more secure and less visible. It s much easier to join sections on the ground than to work from the top of a ladder. If that water isn t carried far enough away from the house you risk damage to your foundation or basement. The rule of thumb for this slope is a vertical 1 2 inch for every 10 feet of.

Gutters must be pitched so water will flow to the downspouts. They gather water during rain and snowstorms.