Hangers:Hangers are strips of metal that support the bottom of the gutter, preventing it from sagging.End Caps: End caps fit to the end of a gutter length and seal off the gutter.Pipe Cleats: Pipe cleats secure the downspout to the house.

Downspout Elbow: The downspout elbow is an angled piece of downspout that fits at the bottom of the downspout and directs water away from the home’s foundation.

Downspouts: This is part of the gutter that runs vertically down the side of the house, transporting water from the roof to the ground or collection vessel.

Learn more about the parts of gutters here.

If you live in a very arid climate, you might opt out of installing rain gutters.Īs with most industries, the world of gutters has its own vocabulary and specific monikers for the various bits and pieces that comprise its workings.

If your house is completely surrounded by concrete in the form of patios, walkways, or driveways, rain gutters might be optional, as the concrete serves as a protective layer between the runoff and the foundation.

But if the house is slightly lower than the surrounding ground, gutters are required to channel runoff a sufficient distance from the foundation.

If your house is higher than the surrounding landscaping, water is unlikely to pool around the foundation, making gutters optional.

In this case, gutters may not be necessary.

If your home has a sharply peaked roof with an overhang of 12 inches or more, rainwater will naturally tend to cascade out and away from the house, rather than dripping straight down to the ground to puddle against the foundation.

If your roof has no overhang or only has a few inches of overhang, it’s likely that water will accumulate against the foundation, damage flower beds near the foundation, and/or pour down on people as they enter or exit your home.

Most do, but there are exceptions, so consider the following:

First, figure out if your house really needs rain gutters.

Quality seamless gutters