DO YOU NEED LARGER GUTTERS ON YOUR HOME – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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DO YOU NEED LARGER GUTTERS ON YOUR HOME

There are many benefits to large gutters.  They are more expensive than standard 5-inch gutters, but if you live in an area that gets heavy rainfall or if you have a steep roof, larger gutters are probably the way to go.  They handle lots of water and fast-moving water better than their smaller counterparts.

If you are in the market for a new gutter system, consider the benefits of choosing a large size for your gutters.  They come in the standard 5 inch as well as over-sized versions at 6, 7 or 8 inches.  While oversized gutters aren’t the perfect fit for every property, they can provide some extra protection from the weather.  A gutter system’s primary function is to redirect the water flowing from your roof away from your home’s foundation. Doing so prevents water damage, structural damage, and foundation issues that might arise, all of which are expensive to fix.

To ensure your gutters work correctly, they need to be appropriately sized for your house and your climate.  Larger houses need larger gutters.  Also, homes in regions that get periodic heavy storms may need them as well to handle the sheets of water that flow off your roof.   An inch or two might seem insignificant but it isn’t.  A six-inch gutter can hold between 40 and 50 percent more water than a five-inch one.  Why? Because six-inch gutters aren’t just 20 percent wider than five-inch gutters.  They’re also deeper.  The additional width and depth significantly increases the capacity of the gutter.

Benefits of large rain gutters

Less Clogging, Better Protection

The extra inches do matter when it comes to a gutter’s ability to do its job.  Larger rain gutters have a larger capacity to handle the rainwater and leaf debris that flow through it.  This means less risk of clogging and better protection against water damage, especially when those heavy storms hit.  If you have a lot of surface area to your roof and/or a steep pitch, then large rain gutters are particularly recommended.

Works Better with Complicated Layouts

Some roof layouts are more complicated than others depending on the size and type of the house build.  If you need a custom gutter system, then larger gutters are going to not only fit better, but also perform better.

Works Better with Half Round Gutters

Because half-round gutters are not as deep as K-style gutters, choosing a larger size than the traditional 5-inch is the smart decision.  That way you won’t have a lot of water overflow and subsequent damage to your home.

Roof Size

Your gutters must match your roof size.  Larger roofs obviously collect more rainwater.  Five-inch gutters are probably sufficient for most small homes with roofs under 1,400 square feet.  However, if your roof is at least 1,500 square feet, you should seriously consider six-inch gutters.

Roof Pitch

A roof’s pitch is vital in selecting the right size gutters.  Just as a wheel rolling down a steep hill goes faster than a wheel on a slight slope, rainwater flows much faster off a steep roof.  Gravity is undefeated.  During heavy rain or a wind-driven rainstorm, water can flow down the roof with greater force and speed and may overshoot smaller gutters.

Average Rainfall

Consider upgrading your gutters if you live in an area with frequent heavy rainfall.  Five-inch gutters can struggle with heavy rain, but larger gutters can handle the increased water flow.  Upsizing will give you peace of mind knowing your home’s exterior is well protected during heavy storms.

Gutter Style

The style of gutter you have can determine its size and how effective it is at carrying rainwater.  For example, five-inch half-round or K-style gutters can overflow quite often, so opting for six inches or larger gutters would allow them to keep up with the flowing water.  Take into consideration the size of your fascia boards. The width of the fascia affects how the gutter will appear, so you’ll need gutters that maintain a proportional look.  A 1×6-inch fascia would benefit from five-inch gutters, while larger fascias will need gutters that are six inches or larger.

DOWNSPOUT SIZE MATTERS TOO

Your downspout size is just as important as your gutter size.  Larger gutters need larger downspouts; if your downspout is too small, it won’t be able to handle the increased water capacity your larger gutters can handle, increasing the risk of it overflowing or flooding.  Six-inch K-style gutters need 3×4-inch downspouts to keep up with the amount of water your gutters collect.  This is in contrast to five-inch K-style gutters, which need 2×3-inch downspouts.

Conclusion

Properly sized gutters help protect several key parts of your home from water damage including your roof and foundation.  Fortunately, choosing the right size gutter can be relatively simple.  All you need to do is determine your home’s drainage area, roof-pitch factor, and maximum rainfall intensity and multiply those three numbers together.