Gutters
How a Downspout Drainage System Works
Outlet, downspout, extension, discharge — trace how roof water travels from the gutter to a safe distance from your foundation, and where the chain breaks.
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Gutters & Downspouts
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Gutters
Gutter Maintenance for Two-Story Homes
The maintenance is the same; the height is not. Here's how to monitor two-story gutters from the ground and when the job belongs to a pro.
Gutters
How to Unclog a Downspout Safely from the Ground
Many downspout clogs clear from the ground with a hose, a tap and a little patience. Here's the safe, bottom-up approach.
Gutters
Rain Chains vs. Downspouts: Which Belongs on Your Home?
One is decorative and open; the other is enclosed and workmanlike. Here's how rain chains and downspouts really compare — and where each fits.
Gutters
Gutter Splash Guards and Diverters: When You Need Them
Where a roof valley dumps water into a corner, it can overshoot the gutter entirely. Splash guards and diverters are the quiet fix.
Gutters
Box Gutters Explained: What They Are and How They Fail
Built into the roof rather than hung from it, box gutters last for decades — until a hidden leak sends water straight into the structure.
Gutters
Underground Downspout Drains
Buried drain lines route roof water well away from the house. They work quietly until they clog, and a hidden clog sends water right back to the foundation.
Gutters
Gutter Heat Tape and De-Icing Basics
Heat cables can melt a drainage channel through ice, but they treat the symptom. The real fix for ice dams is attic ventilation and insulation.
Gutters
How to Measure Gutters and Downspouts
Gutter size should match how much water your roof sheds. Roof area, pitch and local rainfall all point toward when to size up.