The first line of defense to protect your roof from water damage is well-installed and well-maintained gutters
The gutter should be installed as close to the shingles as possible.
The back of the gutter should rest behind the drip edge; the drip edge goes over the gutter.
The back of the gutter should rest on a drip edge.
Failing to install gutters properly can lead to costly problems.
You may not think about your gutters often, but they’re working hard nearly every day to keep your home safe and dry. So, when installing new gutters, it’s crucial to place them in the right position to ensure rainwater doesn’t overflow, causing huge problems.
Below we’ve outlined a few ways you can check to see if your gutters are sitting pretty or may need some adjusting. As always, we recommend checking the codes for your zone on local climate and how installation procedures may vary.
The gutter should be installed as close to the shingles as possible; no more than 2 or 3 inches. If the gutter distance is more than 3 inches, the rain will run off the roof and won't drain properly.
The gap between the gutter and the roof can vary in size because the gutters must slope towards the downspout to ensure the correct water runoff.
Incorrect gutter installation can cause soil shifting around your house, insect infestations, and damage to the siding or foundation, and these issues are often expensive to fix. If gutters are too far from the roof, rain may flow over walls and rot the facia. The water will find its way inside the house, rotting the timbers and carpets or seep into the foundation, causing a structural failure.
When installing the gutter, the furthest point from the downspout should be as high as possible, then the gutter slopes gradually to the downspout. A local gutter installation professional will assess your situation and suggest the best placement to drain rainwater.
Gutters should extend past the roof to catch and act as a drainage solution without splashing onto the roof or siding, especially in heavy rain. Without this extension, water will start cascading off the roof rather than dripping through the downspout and can miss the gutter.
A standard gutter will have about half to three-quarters of its width sticking out beyond the shingles to catch any runoff and ensure that water does not get trapped in the shingles and instead runs down the roof.
Gutters that are too high can enable water runoff to drip down their backside, which can cause deteriorating fascia boards and staining of the siding. The back of the gutter should rest behind the drip edge to prevent water intrusion behind the gutter.
The drip edge is an element that hangs over the roof and has a lower edge. The water flows into the drip edge and eventually travels into the gutter. The drip edge works with the gutter to control the direction of the water and helps protect the building against any damage.
The drip edge is sometimes installed with a furring strip, which protects the drip edge and the fascia board.
If a drip edge isn’t there, the edge of the shingles should extend over the backside of the gutter by about an inch, so the water won't drip behind it and rot the fascia board. U-type brackets are used for half-round gutters. Bracket screws, ideally speed screw hangers, screw right up to the fascia for K-style gutters.
The tell-tale sign that your gutter is properly installed is if it drains properly during downpours. An incorrectly installed gutter—or one that you haven’t maintained regularly—won't collect runoff from the roof as expected and could lead to many unwanted issues, such as standing water or overflow during heavy rainfall.
A spot check of your gutters can give you an idea if you need to replace them. Look for the following signs from the ground:
The gutters are loosely attached.
Gutters don't have a tilt to ensure they drain towards the downspouts.
Drip or water stains on the outside of the gutters, which is a sign of water overflow.
Of course, if you have any doubts or just want a professional opinion, it’s best to ask a local gutter installation company to take a look. Hiring a vetted pro to start with can help eliminate any doubt that your gutters will be installed correctly.
Water should not be dripping behind your gutters. Rain dripping between your gutters and the fascia might indicate that the gutters are misaligned with the fascia board or there are loose screws in the gutters, allowing water to pass through. Start by checking for these issues and make repairs ASAP.
There are gutter repair experts who specialize in gutter maintenance. These professionals can help with clogging, leaks, sagging, or other issues. An experienced pro should also be able to tell you when a repair won’t be enough and a full replacement will be necessary. Keeping your gutters in great shape is how you prevent bigger problems from forming.
