How Gutters Work

Think of it as a system of small canals that are open at the top to catch rainwater running off the roof channeling all the excess water into the downspouts to be drained down to the ground and away from the home.

How gutters work.

Downspouts harmlessly divert the water away from the house and may even send water into rain barrels where the water can be collected and stored for other uses. Usually gutters are installed on a slight slope that encourages the water to run away from the house and toward downspouts that are installed at the corners of the house. This allows rainwater to travel around the hood and into the gutter while deflecting leaves and other debris to never clog. There they collect the torrents of water that come from the roof during rainstorms and direct them to a safe area for discharge via downspouts.

Gutters are placed at the leading edges of the roof. Fundamentally gutters collect rainwater from your roof and channel it to the ground through a downspout. In many cases this area is simply far enough away from the house to avoid foundation damage. Leafguard gutters work on a simple but powerful scientific principle known as liquid adhesion.

Depending on the system gutters are either nailed to the fascia with a clip or spike and ferrule hanger as shown at left or hung from the sheathing along the eaves before the roof is shingled which is more secure and less visible. During rain water rolls down from the slope of the roof to the gutters. Downspouts carry water from the gutters to the base of the house.