copper continuous rain gutters and down spouts

Parts of Gutters

Whether you already have gutters or are interested in adding them to your home, knowing the parts of a gutter will help you understand how they work and why they’re so important for your property. To help in your understanding, we’ve compiled a list of the major parts of a gutter and described their importance. Let’s dive in!

Gutter: First things first, let’s talk about the actual gutter. The gutter, also known as the gutter section, is the length of guttering that’s attached to the home. It’s usually made of aluminum, or vinyl, but other metal variations like copper are available. Gutter sections are anywhere from two to eighty feet in length. 

Slip Connector: Used to connect pieces of gutter sections together, the slip connector enables the gutters to act as one. 

Hanger: The piece of metal used to hold the gutters against the house. One hanger variation is known as a hidden hanger and it sits within the gutter to hold it in place, without being visible. 

End Cap: Closes the end of the gutter to prevent water from escaping where it shouldn’t. 

Miter: The corner piece for a gutter, the miter allows the gutters to move around the entirety of the house. Different miter variations include box miters, strip miters, and bay miters, but they all serve the same purpose. 

Gutter Guards: Pieces of metal or vinyl used to prevent large debris from entering the gutters and clogging them. They’re especially useful for properties with trees that have leaves or acorns that fall into the gutters. 

Downspout: The vertical tube used to take the water from the gutters down away from the house. 

Downspout Strap: Used to attach the downspout to the house and stabilize it. 

Elbow: A corner piece of a downspout that’s used to change the direction of the flowing water. 

Gutter Extension: A gutter section that’s used to extend the water discharge away from the home. 

Splash Block: A concrete or stone block placed at the bottom of the downspout to prevent the water from eroding the soil. 

Now that you have a better understanding of the different elements that make up a properly working gutter system, are you ready to add one to your home? No matter if you need to add gutters, are looking for gutter repairs, or you want to add gutter guards, our experts at New Vision Exteriors is the right team for the job. Give us a call for a consultation today!

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