Helpful Terms

Downspout Extension

An attachment installed at the end of a downspout to help channel rainwater away from a home.

Fascia

A wooden board or other flat piece of material such as that covering the ends of rafters.

Joints

Fold line or groove where two pieces of metal join together.

Elbow

A L shaped fitting used to connect two strait gutter pieces. It also helps direct the flow of the gutter runoff around corners, and direct the runoff to desired location.

Flashing

Pieces of sheet metal used on the roof to cover joints to protect them and prevent water leaking through.

Proper Pitch

Gutters must be pitched so water will flow to the downspouts. The rule of thumb for this slope is a vertical 0.25” - 0.50”  for every 10 feet of horizontal run. If the run is more than 35 feet long, it’s recommended to install the high point of the system in the middle and sloping the gutter downward in both directions to downspouts on both ends of the run.

End Cap

Separate piece of finished material that covers the unfinished edges of a gutter run.

Galvanized in Galvanized Steel

Steel that has a protective zinc coating applied to it to make it resistant to rusting. By hot dipping, submerging in a bath of molten zinc, is how it becomes galvanized.