The Best Rain Gutters for Even the Wettest Areas

By Chelsea Welsh, Gutter Helmet.

Three factors that make a difference in gutter performance. 

It seems that rain records are being broken every year. Nashville, Tennessee, just had its wettest February ever, surpassing the average rainfall by more than 10 inches! Parts of California have feet of accumulated snow. When all that snow melts, it turns to water. So just because you don’t get a lot of rain doesn’t mean you’re not in a wet area. If your customers live in one of the cities that gets snow in large quantities, they may end up a deluge of snowmelt several times a year.

No matter where your customers live, they need to have a quality gutter system that has been properly sized and installed on the home to keep their basement dry and protect their foundation or crawlspace. Gutters can do their job even more effectively when they have top-rated gutter guards keeping leaves and debris out. So, what do you need to know about gutters if you’re in an area that deals with heavy snowmelt or lots of rain?

Size Matters

Gutters come in various widths, the most common being five inches. That may not be sufficient if your service area is in a tropical storm zone or other areas with heavy rain. The pitch and size of each roof also will determine the gutter size. If you’re in an area that receives lots of rain in a short amount of time and have a steep-sloped roof, consider six- or seven-inch gutters to prevent overflow.

Proper Design Is Imperative

When customers request quotes from various gutter installers, they expect more than just a number. Talk to them about the number of downspouts and their location, along with the gutter width. Find out if they are interested in rain gutter covers products. Explain the importance of keeping their gutters clean to help them work properly. Don't forget that you may need to recommend larger downspouts to go with the larger gutters.

Quality Installation

Perhaps most important for your customers is that the gutters are properly installed. Explain to the homeowner that importance of having the right pitch, or slope, for the water to run to the downspouts at the proper rate. Too much slope and they could end up with overflow at the downspout. Too little and they could end up with water sitting until it has no choice but to go somewhere else – which may mean over the edge of the gutter. Good installation also includes the right gutter fasteners. When there is snow, ice or lots of rain sitting in gutters, the fasteners need to be able to withstand the excess weight, which means sturdy hangers or additional hangers or screws.

Even the best gutters can’t do their job if they’re clogged. 

Find out how you can become a Gutter Helmet dealer and offer top-rated gutter guards to keep your customers gutters clean and working properly. 

Source: Gutter Helmet