Size to the roof, not to a default
The standard residential gutter is seamless 5-inch K-style aluminum, and for most roofs it is correct. But a large or steep roof sheds more water than a 5-inch gutter can carry in a hard rain — the water overshoots the lip and you get the overflow that looks like a gutter problem and is actually a sizing problem.
We size to the roof load: the square footage draining to each run, the pitch, and the local rainfall intensity. Where the math calls for it, we install 6-inch oversized gutters and add downspouts rather than letting a single undersized run carry the whole roof.
- Seamless 5-inch K-style aluminum — correct for most roofs
- 6-inch oversized for large or steep roofs
- Hanger spacing for ice and snow load, not just for speed
- Enough downspouts so no single run is overwhelmed
Are gutter guards worth it?
For homes under a tree canopy, good gutter guards earn their cost — they keep leaf load out of the trough, which is what causes the overflow and ice-dam patterns that damage fascia and soffit. The catch is quality: cheap mesh clogs and foam inserts rot. We install ShurFlo aluminum guards, which are maintenance-free and do not become their own problem.
Common questions
Do I really need 6-inch gutters?
Only if the roof draining to them is large or steep enough to overwhelm a 5-inch gutter in a hard rain. We size to the actual roof load — most homes are fine on 5-inch, some genuinely need 6-inch.
Are gutter guards worth the money?
Under a tree canopy, yes — they prevent the leaf load that causes overflow and ice dams. Quality matters: we install ShurFlo aluminum guards, not cheap mesh or foam that clogs or rots.
Can storm damage to gutters be claimed?
Yes. Hail dents soft metals like gutters and downspouts, and wind detaches runs. Gutter damage is often part of a roof storm claim — we document it with the roof rather than leaving it off the scope.
Talk it through with a former adjuster
Free, no-obligation inspection. DJK Restoration documents storm damage to the scope your carrier will accept.