Materials Gutters

If you start noticing that your home’s exterior has any mold on it or peeling paint, that may be a sign that your gutters need replacing or fixing. Snow and ice can build within the gutter and cause leaks/damage to home. Weight from clogs and debris can cause a gutter to pull away from a house or sag, or they may not be sloped properly and not doing their job of channeling water away from your home.

Another sign that gutters aren’t working properly is if your basement is damp or there are cracks in the foundation. The gutters could have been clogged and the water is forced to overflow over the sides causing water buildup around your foundation.

If you experience any of the problems above then give Element Smart Roofing a call to determine what type of system would best benefit your home. There are two main types of gutter systems to think about: Sectional and Seamless

Sectional
Sectional types are sold in 10- to 22-feet long pieces. They're made of vinyl, painted aluminum or prepainted steel. Gutter sections are joined together by Snap-in-place connectors. All sectional systems have end caps, corner pieces and drop outlets for connecting to downspouts. The negative to sectional systems is that there is a potential for leaks through all those seams. One positive is that they can be installed by either the homeowner or by a professional installer.

Seamless
gutters are the most popular type today and the only type Element Smart Roofing install. The biggest selling point is that they don’t have any seams which could potentially leak. The sections join only at inside and outside corners and at downspout outlets. Seamless gutters are usually formed from aluminum that has a baked-on finish, but they may be made from copper or factory-painted steel. They are made with a special machine that's brought to your home and cut to exact specifications. These types of gutters can not be installed by do-it-yourselfers.

Green Benefits
Element Smart Roofing only installs Aluminum gutters as they offer the best durability, are lightweight and can be used in conjuction with slate, tile and recycled roof materials to form a drinkable rainwater collection system.

Shapes & Sizes: U- and K-Shape
Gutters come in several sizes and shapes called profiles. The most common are the U shape and the K shape. Element Smart Roofing ONLY carries K style gutters at this time.

Another important choice is the sizing of the gutters and the downspout. Choices include 2x3-in or 3x4-in. rectangular shapes. The most popular is 5" gutter which is typically paired with 2x3-in. downspout. 4" gutter is more popular in areas where there is less rainfall. Occasionally you will see 6" gutter in markets where rainfall is particularly heavy.

A new roof project is the best time to evaluate and replace a failing gutter system, ask a Element Smart Roofing consultant to evaluate your gutter system during your Free Inspection.