When it rains, your drainage system works hard to direct the water away from your property and into the street drains. However, if you don’t have the right size gutters, they could overflow and spill around your home’s foundation or flood your gardening efforts. To find out if you need a gutter replacement, look over the guide below.

How to Determine What Size Gutters You Need

What Sizes Do Gutter Typically Come In?

The most common gutter sizes are five inches for the K-style gutters and six inches for the half-round gutters. The latter are shaped like a simple semi-circle, while the former are flat on the bottom and back and scalloped on the outer edge. While these sizes are found on most residential properties throughout the country, there are smaller options (four inches) and larger options (seven inches) to choose from. 

What Factors Influence the Size Drainage System?

The main influencing factors are the rainfall density of your area and the square footage of your roof. Naturally, homes in areas that see above-average rainfall can prevent overflow with larger gutters, and larger roofs will produce more runoff. If you have a particularly steep roof pitch, the water will fall faster, which also increases the necessary gutter size. Your contractor will also consider the landscape surrounding your home, as tall trees will shed leaves that can clog smaller drainage systems.

What Are Some Other Ways to Account for Above-Average Rainfall?

In addition to enlarging the size of your gutters, you can increase the pitch of your gutters by slanting them down toward the downspouts at a steeper angle. This will get rid of the runoff faster and prevent your gutters from overflowing. While the standard is to install a downspout every 40 feet, you could also handle this issue by adding extra to your drainage system. That way, the downspouts can handle all the water your gutters are sending.

If you’re looking for different gutters to meet your drainage needs, get in touch with Amakua Raingutters today. This company has 12 years of experience serving clients on Oahu, and they are committed to staying up-to-date on their industry knowledge. In addition to installing new 5, 6, and 7-inch gutters, they can also repair or clean your existing ones. To learn more about their services, visit the website, or call (808) 258-6994 to schedule a free estimate.