#1
Cause of basement flooding
Improper gutter drainage
$3K+
Average fascia rot repair
When gutters overflow into wood
2x/yr
Minimum cleaning frequency
Spring and fall for most climates
6"
Minimum discharge distance
Downspouts from foundation
Materials & Types
Aluminum gutters
The standard in most of the country. Seamless aluminum gutters are formed on-site from a roll of aluminum stock — each run is a single piece with no joints except at corners and downspout outlets. No joints means no seam failures. They come in 0.027" (standard) and 0.032" (heavy duty) thickness. Lifespan is 20-30 years.
K-style vs. half-round
K-style gutters hold more water than half-round gutters of the same width and are better suited to high-rainfall areas. Half-round is the traditional profile, easier to clean, and less prone to debris accumulation but has lower capacity.
System Components
Fascia and soffit
The fascia board is the vertical board at the roof edge that the gutters attach to. The soffit is the horizontal surface under the roof overhang. Both are vulnerable to moisture — fascia boards rot when gutters overflow or don't drain properly. Pressing on the fascia board in multiple locations is a simple way to check for rot without getting on a ladder.
Downspouts and extensions
Downspouts should discharge at least 6 inches from the foundation — ideally much more. Splash blocks alone are usually insufficient. Every downspout that discharges at the foundation is a slow-motion foundation problem.
Failure Timeline
New system
Clean twice yearly. Confirm all downspouts discharge away from foundation. Check that gutters are properly pitched toward outlets.
Maintenance phase
Joint sealant in sectional gutters begins failing. Inspect and reseal any leaking joints. Press fascia in multiple locations annually.
Watch phase
Hangers can pull from fascia. Sections may separate or sag. Fascia rot is possible if maintenance has lapsed.
Replacement window
Evaluate full system replacement. If fascia is compromised, replace it at the same time as gutters.
Inspection & Cleaning
Clean gutters in late fall after the last leaves have fallen, and again in late spring. The spring cleaning should include flushing all downspouts and confirming flow through the full system.
Who to Call
Questions to ask your contractor
"Are you replacing the fascia boards, or just the gutters?"
New gutters on rotten fascia is a short-term fix. The fascia should be inspected and replaced where compromised before new gutters go on.
"What gauge aluminum are you using?"
0.032" is meaningfully more durable than 0.027" for minimal additional cost. If they can't answer this, they're using the cheapest option.
"How will the downspouts discharge, and how far from the foundation?"
The gutter itself is only as useful as where the water goes when it leaves the downspout.