How to Choose the Best Gutter Size for Your Property
Incorrectly sized gutters can cause rainwater to overflow and seep into your home’s interior. Within 24 hours, you could face water damage and hefty restoration costs. Water damage restoration can reach anywhere between $450 to $12,500, depending on the extent of the damage.
Fortunately, you can prevent this from happening by having your home properly fitted for the right size of gutters. Below are a few factors to consider when choosing the right gutter size for your home.
Roof Pitch
The slope of your roof also dictates the size of your gutters. Steeper roofs catch more rainwater, requiring bigger gutters to support the runoff. You can hire roofing experts to calculate your roof’s pitch and determine what gutter size works best for your property.
However, you can also measure it yourself using a level and a measuring tape. Simply place one end of the level on the roof and lift the other end until it becomes level. Using the measuring tape, get the distance between the level’s end and your roof.
Roof Size
Low-pitched roofs with a large surface area may still require a big gutter size. This is because larger roofs hold more rainwater, causing bigger runoffs. Roofs measuring 5,000 square feet or more require 5- to 6-inch gutter systems to prevent water from accumulating.
Maximum Rainfall Capacity
If you live in an area with constant rain showers, a small-sized gutter may not be able to cope with runoff from heavy rains. It can get worse if you have a steep roof. Meanwhile, an oversized gutter may be unnecessary if you live in a hot and humid region.
In addition to that, your downspout’s size must be able to match the expected runoff capacity. For instance, a 3” x 4” rectangular downspout increases your gutter’s runoff capacity by 1,200 square feet.
Refer to this guide when matching downspout capacity to gutter size:
- a) Rectangular Downspout
- 2” x 3” = 600 square feet
- 3” x 4” = 1,200 square feet
- b) Round Downspout
- 3 inches = 706 square feet
- 4 inches = 1,255 square feet
Gutter Style
Gutters are classified as K-style or half-round gutters. If you have a larger roof, a K-style gutter may be more suitable for your property as it tends to hold more water. Below is the ideal gutter size depending on your roof’s size and gutter type.
- a) Half-Round Gutters
- 2,500 square feet roof = 5-inch gutter
- 3,840 square feet roof = 6-inch gutter
- b) K-Style Gutters
- 5,520 square feet roof = 5-inch gutters
- 7,960 square feet = 6-inch gutters
Hire Reliable Seamless Gutter Contractors
Safeguard the structural integrity of your home with correctly sized rain gutters from Bruce Andrew Seamless Gutters. As Wisconsin’s trusted seamless gutter contractors, we offer hassle-free gutter system installations for both commercial and residential properties.
Beyond installing gutters, our experienced team is also equipped to perform repairs and routine maintenance. For maximum efficiency, we also install LeafLock gutter protection that keeps your gutters debris-free all year round.
Shield your home from costly water damage and mold hazards. Get in touch with us today to request a free quote.
