Planning a Gutter Installation? Here’s How to Deal With Heavy Rains in Texas
If you’re planning a gutter installation, choosing the right gutters is essential. Not only will you need to match the appearance of the gutters to your home’s aesthetic and style, but you should also consider the capacity of gutters you’ll need. For example, here in Texas we often experience strong storms. And while we receive less rainfall than the national average in San Antonio, locals know that when it rains, it pours.
As the top experts for gutter installation in San Antonio, our team at River City Gutters works with homeowners to choose the right gutters for their needs. This includes matching the siding and roofing of your home as well as assessing the capacity of gutters you’ll need. Today, we’re sharing a few key considerations when it comes to choosing heavy rain gutters that can stand up to Texas rainstorms.
Bigger May Be Better
The most straightforward way to make sure your gutters can handle the water coming off your roof is to install wider gutters. While 5” gutters are standard, 6” gutters provide significantly more capacity to carry water—in fact, that one inch of difference can mean up to 40% more volume.
Not all homes will require 6” gutters, and it all depends on the design of your home and your roof. For example, larger homes with larger roofs will have more runoff from rainwater. Depending on the pitch of your roof, that water may reach your gutters more quickly or slowly. Roofs with steep pitches will need larger gutters to handle heavier rainfall, while for smaller homes with roofs that have a shallower pitch, 5” gutters may be sufficient.
The Shape of (Rain) Water
Of course, it isn’t just the size of your gutters that matters, but the shape as well. In planning your gutter installation, you’ll need to choose between a number of different styles and designs. While each has its own aesthetic benefits, the shape of your gutters will impact how well they deal with rainwater as well.
For instance, K-style gutters are a more common design on recently built homes as they are somewhat more water-efficient than traditional half-round gutters. On the other hand, box gutters are a high-capacity option that may be installed on either homes or, more often, commercial buildings. Box gutters can be readily upsized to 6”, 7”, or even 8” in size.
Opt for Quality
While you may not think about it often, accumulating rainwater is heavy. That means a high-capacity gutter system must be highly durable and stable to deal with heavy rainfall effectively.
Less durable gutter materials may sag or degrade over time, leading to overflows and other issues. More durable materials—metals like aluminum, steel, or copper—will stand up better to these issues and ensure rainwater is efficiently directed away from your home.
To Guard or Not to Guard?
Another important point is that efficient, high-capacity gutters will not succeed in protecting your home from heavy rainfall if they’re clogged or poorly maintained. Many homeowners consider leaf guards when faced with the prospect of regularly cleaning their gutters, and for good reason. Leaf guards can help to cut down on maintenance requirements and keep your gutters from clogging.
However, leaf guards won’t make sense for everyone. One of the drawbacks of leaf guards is that they can inhibit the flow of rainwater into your gutters and cause overflows. They may also give homeowners a false sense of security, as even after the installation of leaf guards your gutter system must be maintained.
Overall, it’s a good idea to speak with your gutter expert during installation to determine whether leaf guards make sense for your home.
River City Gutters: San Antonio’s Gutter Installation Experts
At River City Gutters, we’re known throughout San Antonio as the area’s top gutter installation specialists. Our team focuses on superior quality and service, delivering gutter solutions that are custom-designed for your home or commercial property. If you aim to protect against even the heaviest rains, our team can help identify the right size and shape for your property. Get started today with a consultation and estimate.
