clogged gutters Archives

Do I Need Splash Blocks? A Missing Splash Block Can Cost You

September 4, 2021September 4, 2021Gutter King WichitaLeave a Comment

Do I Need Splash Blocks? We get this question a lot about gutter splash blocks. Read more to find out!

Gutter Splash Blocks vs Downspout Extensions

You know about gutters and downspouts, but what exactly is a gutter splash block? Splash blocks are rectangular plastic or concrete channels that carry rainwater from the downspout away from the foundation of your home.

Gutter systems can divert rainwater to gardens or into your lawn. A frequent issue we see when cleaning gutters is a missing splash block, whether it is a concrete splash block, a plastic splash block, or a stone splash block.

a missing splash block gutter cleaning wichita — A missing splash block

It would be best to direct rainwater from the home so that water doesn’t pool at your foundation. When rainwater pools at your foundation, it can cause leaks, water damage, and microbial growth in your home.

Splash block is positioned under the downspout and is not missing. gutter king wichita cleaning — Splash block is positioned under the downspout

A Missing Splash Block Can Cost You

If you have gutters installed in your home, there’s a good chance you also have downspouts; however, you might not have splash blocks. Sometimes people overlook these important components when researching gutter installations. They’re a necessity, and a missing splash block can cause expensive water issues.

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How Are Splash Blocks Installed?

Install splash blocks directly under each downspout. The splash block should be large enough to carry water about three feet away. Constantly adjust them in an angle away from your home; prepare to change the grade level if necessary. The ideal pitch is a slope of 6 inches in 10 feet. The splash block needs to be higher at the foundation end, to move rainwater forward, away from the house. When you’ve placed your splash block in the appropriate place, level the soil and pack if necessary. Your splash block should settle with time and moisture.

Whether you’re putting finishing touches on your home’s exterior, protecting your landscaping, or safeguarding against foundation and water issues, splash blocks are essential. When rainwater pools at your foundation, it can cause leaks, water damage, and microbial growth in your home.

We invite you to keep coming back to our blog. We like being your go-to resource for all things gutter!

For help with rain water management at your property, give us a call.

How will I know when my gutters need to be cleaned?

February 24, 2019February 21, 2020Gutter King Wichita1 Comment

We do get this question a lot: “How will I know when my gutters need to be cleaned?”

You probably would rather think about a zillion other things besides your gutters. We understand.

Well, lemme ask you a question and then I will tell you a short little story.

A Question

Have you ever walked into a room of your basement and suddenly heard “splat-squish-splat-squish” down at your feet? And not a crunchy sound, like broken bits of dog food on the garage floor that should have been swept up. But instead, a sloppy, wet, and squishy sound. Like something is very berry wrong. Well, once upon a time, a very long time ago, we did that! Yep.

how will I know when my gutters need to be cleaned gutter cleaning wichita

A Short Little Story

It went something like this:

“Hey, ummmm what is this?” she asked.

“What’s what?” he asked.

“The carpet! It’s wet,” she said.

“What… I say what in the name of Jesse James do you suppose that is?”
–Foghorn Leghorn

“Oh, that’s water coming in at the top!”

How will I know when my gutters need to be cleaned

[sigh] It was a disaster! A pain in the butt. It was not fun. And furthermore, the cost to repair it was everything in this universe BUT cheap!

Cleaning the gutters would certainly have cost less.

The End.

gutter cleaning wichita

how will I know when my gutters need to be cleaned

Proactive versus Reactive

The BEST way to tell if your gutters are working properly is by taking a walk around the outside of your house and performing your own inspection.

you should check the downspouts and seams for cracks or separations, and
check that water flows down to the downspouts and doesn’t leak at the elbows, and
look at the splash blocks to see if they are properly aligned under the downspouts, and
make sure the gutters are not bent, crushed or coming off of the house

If you see any of the following, please give us a call right away:

water dripping from the bottom of the gutters (when it is not raining)
rainwater pooling at the foundation
a water trough or impression on your turf or landscape, near the foundation, and parallel to the roof line

BUT… most importantly, please don’t get out your ladder (unless you work for us).

Don’t risk a fall. Because your wife, husband, mother, father, daughter, son and your dog will thank you.

Just give us a call. Within mere minutes, we’ll set you up for a F.R.E.E., no obligation inspection.

If we find an issue, we can give you an instant quote for repair, cleaning, or even replacement.

Gutter King Wichita – When It Pours, We Reign

walk around the outside of your house and performing your own inspection

SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER

February 17, 2019February 21, 2020Gutter King Wichita2 Comments

When it comes to gutters and downspouts, size really does matter. And a single inch may not seem like much. But between 5-inch and 6-inch gutters, size really does matter.

Size really does matter seamless guttering gutter king wichita

What Size Gutter Do I Need?

For standard residential homes, 5-inch gutters are usually fine.

Material costs for 6-inch seamless gutters are almost twice those for 5-inch gutters. Labor costs are a little higher as well. Yet, 6-inch gutters, compared to 5-inch gutters, can move roughly 40% more water. Therefore, homes with more steeply pitched roofs and increased surface areas could benefit from a larger gutter. The reason is that the 5-inch water trough may not be able to keep up and catch it all when there is increased velocity and volume of rainwater. Also, if a home has larger fascia board, the 6-inch gutter may look better than the 5-inch trough.

What Type of Rain Gutter Do I Need?

Size really does matter seamless guttering half round guttering gutter king wichita

Rain gutters come in several types, sizes, and shapes. We call these profiles. Profiles include U or half-round shapes, as well as K configurations. Specifically, the gutter front, when viewed from the side, looks like the letter K. These are made of either aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper in a standard “K” style.

What Size Downspout Do I Need?

While rain gutters collect the rain water from the roof area, your downspouts move this water away from the foundation.

As mentioned above, for standard residential homes, 5-inch gutters are usually fine. However, the size of the gutter is sometimes less important than the size of the downspouts. Also, whether the gutter trough is kept clean or has any protection or cover from leaves is a factor. Downspouts come in different sizes, such as 2×3 inches and 3×4 inches. Therefore, instead of installing a 2×3-inch downspout on a 5-inch trough, sometimes an oversized 3×4-inch downspout will benefit the homeowner.

Size Really Does Matter

Again, a single inch may not seem like much. But between 5-inch and 6-inch gutters, size really does matter. At Gutter King Wichita, we are dedicated to helping you find the right products for your home. From seamless guttering to gutter cleaning, to gutter guards, we have the products and services to protect your home. When you need expert guttering advice, turn to the professionals: schedule a free inspection today.