Gutters in Central Florida

Why gutters matter here

Plenty of Florida homes were built without gutters. In a region where afternoon storms drop a lot of rain in a short time, that water pours off the roof edge in a sheet. It splashes back onto walls and windows, erodes beds and mulch, pools against the slab, and soaks the fascia and soffit where the roof meets the house.

Rot at the roof edge is one of the most common things we find on inspections, and a missing or overflowing gutter is often the reason.

Seamless, and why seams matter

Seamless gutters are formed from a coil of aluminum on site and cut to the exact length of each run, so there are no joints along the straight sections. Joints are where sectional gutters leak and sag. On a seamless system, the only seams are at corners and downspouts.

Aluminum does not rust, and the baked-on finish comes in colors that match most trim.

Sizing for a Florida downpour

Gutters are commonly 5-inch or 6-inch K-style. A 6-inch gutter holds a good deal more water and is the better choice on large or steep roof areas, or where two roof slopes drain into one run.

Downspouts are where many systems fall short. A larger 3×4 downspout moves far more water than the smaller 2×3, and adding a downspout on a long run keeps water from overflowing at the far end. Where the downspout empties matters just as much: water should be carried away from the foundation, not dumped beside it.

Oaks, pines and gutter guards

Oak leaves, acorns and pine needles fill gutters fast in many Central Florida neighborhoods. A clogged gutter overflows at the back edge and sends water behind the fascia, which is worse than having no gutter at all.

Gutter guards reduce how often gutters need clearing. They do not remove the need entirely, and the right type depends on what is falling on your roof.

Common questions