A summer thunderstorm rolls through and water pours over the front of your gutters like a waterfall, right onto the walkway and against the foundation. Or a run along the back of the house has started to sag after a winter of snow and ice. If you’re looking at new gutters in Cherry Creek, you want a system that actually handles the water your roof sends it, and an estimate you can understand.
Gutters seem simple until they don’t work. Most problems come from a system that was never sized for the roof above it, and it’s hard to tell from two quotes which one got it right. You should know what you’re paying for and why.
APC Roofing installs seamless gutters as part of our roofing work. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and the estimate is free. Call 720-902-6940 to have your roofline measured.
Why gutters in Cherry Creek overflow
Denver’s yearly rain totals are modest, but the summer storms aren’t. A thunderstorm can drop a lot of water in a few minutes, often with hail mixed in. A gutter that handles a slow spring rain just fine can overflow in that kind of burst.
Then there’s snowmelt. A roof full of snow drains for days as it melts, and the gutters carry a steady load the whole time. When the meltwater freezes overnight, the ice adds weight and blocks the flow.
So the right gutter isn’t the one that looks right on the house. It’s the one that’s sized for your roof.
Sizing gutters: roof area, pitch and downspouts
Three things decide how much water a gutter run has to carry.
Roof area. Each run drains a specific section of the roof. A big, unbroken slope sends far more water to its gutter than a small dormer does.
Pitch. A steeper roof moves water faster and catches more wind-driven rain, so it delivers water to the gutter in a bigger rush.
Downspouts. This is the part that gets shortchanged most often. A gutter can only empty as fast as its downspouts let it. Adding a downspout, or going from a standard size to a larger one, often fixes overflow without changing the gutter at all.
Many homes do fine with 5-inch gutters. Larger or steeper roofs, and runs that collect water from a valley, often need 6-inch gutters and bigger downspouts. The math should be done for each run, not for the house as a whole.
Seamless gutters and the materials that hold up to hail
Seamless gutters are formed on site from a single coil, so each run is one piece from corner to corner. With no seams along the length, there are fewer places to leak. Corners and downspout outlets are still joints, and they’re where a seamless gutter system needs careful sealing.
Aluminum is the most common choice. It doesn’t rust, it’s light and it comes in many colors. The trade-off in hail country is that thinner aluminum dents. A heavier gauge holds up better.
Steel is stiffer and takes a hailstone better, but it relies on its coating to hold off rust, so scratches and cut ends need attention.
Slope, hangers and snow
Gutters need a slight fall toward the downspouts so water doesn’t sit. Too little slope and water pools, leaves rot in place and the standing water freezes in winter. Too much and the gutter looks crooked from the street.
Hangers hold the gutter to the fascia. In Denver, they carry more than water: snow, ice and the occasional ladder. Hidden hangers spaced closely, fastened into solid wood, keep a run from pulling away under a winter load.
The roofline behind the gutter
A gutter is only as good as what it’s attached to. The fascia board behind it has to be solid, and the roof edge needs drip edge flashing that directs water into the gutter instead of behind it. When water gets behind the gutter, it rots the fascia, stains the siding and can work its way into the wall.
If the fascia is soft or rotted, replacing it at the same time as the gutters makes sense. We also handle fascia and soffits, so that can be part of one job.
How to compare two gutter estimates
When you have more than one bid, check whether each one spells out:
- The gutter size and material, including the gauge
- How many downspouts, what size and where they go
- The type of hangers and how far apart they’re spaced
- Whether fascia repair or drip edge is included
- Where the downspouts will discharge, and whether extensions are included
If an estimate doesn’t say, ask. A lower number sometimes means fewer downspouts or lighter material.
How it works
- Book your free estimate. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We measure your roofline, look at the fascia and the roof edge, check how water reaches the gutters and give you a written estimate with sizes and downspout locations spelled out.
- Your gutters get installed and the site gets cleaned up. You’ll know the schedule up front.
An overflowing gutter dumps water right where you don’t want it, against the foundation and into window wells. It’s usually a quick fix before it becomes a basement problem.
Gutter questions from Cherry Creek homeowners
Should I get 5-inch or 6-inch gutters?
The roof area and pitch feeding each run decide it. Many homes are fine with 5-inch, but large or steep roofs, and runs below a valley, often do better with 6-inch gutters and larger downspouts.
Are seamless gutters worth it?
For most homes, yes. Fewer seams means fewer places to leak, and each run is cut to fit your house.
Can hail-damaged gutters be part of an insurance claim?
They can be included if the storm damaged them. You file your claim and pay your deductible; we document the damage and work with your adjuster.
Do I need new gutters if I’m getting a new roof?
Not always. If your gutters are the right size, solid and well attached, they can often stay. A new roof is a good time to check, since the drip edge and fascia are exposed anyway.
Get gutters in Cherry Creek sized right
Call 720-902-6940 or request your free estimate online. For more on gutters across the city, see our Denver gutters and seamless gutters in Denver pages, or everything we do in Cherry Creek.
The goal is water that goes where it should, a dry foundation and gutters you don’t have to think about. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
