An Anatomy Lesson Of Your Salt Lake City, UT
Gutter System From The Experts

An Anatomy Lesson Of Your Salt Lake City, UT
Gutter System From The Experts

Learn The Basics Before Installing A New Gutter System
In Your Utah Home

At first glance, our gutter systems seem easy to understand, but many Utah homeowners fail to comprehend the system’s intricacies. As a homeowner in the Utah area, it’s essential to know the ins and outs of your home, empowering you to make the best decisions possible.

Some homeowners don’t realize gutters have a system, let alone know the names and purposes of each piece involved. Knowing your gutter system makes you more attuned to any potential issues, saving you money, time, and a whole lot of stress.

Let’s dive into your gutter system’s anatomy, ensuring you get the right products for your home before starting the installation process.

Gutters

The actual gutter of a gutter system is the horizontal canal that overhangs your roof, catching rainfall and channeling it toward a specific destination. Gutters are typically made of aluminum and commonly sold in 10′ sections. Seamless gutters are cut specially for the length of a house and prove more effective in channeling water without any leaks.

Downspouts

Downspouts are vertical channels, usually made of aluminum, connecting to the gutters. They are typically located on the corners of your home and help funnel rain and melting snow or ice away from your home’s foundation.

They function to protect your home by ensuring water doesn’t collect at its base or leak into your home’s structure, comprising its integrity. A downspout’s height depends on how tall and how many stories your home is.

Elbow

Elbows are bent metal pieces connected to the end of your downspout, directing water away from your home as much as possible. There are different size elbows available depending on how far you’d like water to disperse from your downspouts. Elbows are also used at the top of a downspout to connect the downspout to the gutter outlet.

Fasteners & Hangers

Fasteners may seem like a small detail, but they are critical in ensuring the support of your gutters. These pieces connect your gutter to your home’s fascia boards. Strong fasteners are needed to fully support your gutters when they reach the maximum water capacity.

Even the kind of screw used with your fasteners matters, as cheaper screws will rust over and jeopardize your gutters. Strong, solid fasteners keep your gutters in place and can do their job correctly.

Miters

These parts of the gutter system connect your gutters at the corners of your home. Miters can be hand cut to precisely fit inside of your gutter, leaving little room for leaks, as it provides a water-tight seal.

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards come in various forms, but all work to protect your gutters from leaves and other debris that may clog the gutter. Cheaper gutter guards are simply meshed coverings that allow water in but keep out larger substances. Better quality guards will stop leaves from falling into your gutters and slow down water as it streams off your roof, keeping overflows and clogs from occurring.

Splash Blocks

Splash blocks are ramp-like pieces placed at the bottoms of your downspout elbows that help distribute water outward. Additions are also available to extend the length of your water outtake using outlet tubes. These tubes are typically made of accordion heavy-duty plastic, which is easy to move and adjust, depending on where you’d like your rainwater dispersed.

End Caps

End caps are metal pieces placed at the ends of a gutter run near your downspouts that prevent water from running out of the sides. They seal off the ends of your gutters, stopping leakage from occurring. They are secured to the ends of your gutters using a leak-proof sealant.

Don’t Let A Poor Gutter System Cause Damage
To Your Utah Home

At RGS Exteriors, we know how crucial it is to have a quality gutter system in proper working order on your Utah home. With our dozens of choices, you’ll surely find a gutter system that works for you and looks beautiful on your home.

We only have the finest gutter systems, sized perfectly for your home, giving you seamless protection. When those winters roll around, our Heat Cable Systems keep snow and ice off the edge of your gutters, preventing dangerous ice formations and added weight that could cause significant damage.

But, the best part of our gutter systems is the people that install them – customers come first at RGS Exteriors. We want to empower our customers and always get you the best value for your money!

An Anatomy Lesson Of Your Salt Lake City, UT
Gutter System From The Experts