| Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHY DO I NEED GUTTERS?
- Controls roof run off
- Water most destructive element to houses
- Helps prevent wet basements and walls
- Helps prevent wall stains from roof splash over
- Adds value to the home
- Prevents “waterfall” during storms when entering or leaving house
- Helps prevent erosion along roof line
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2. METAL OR VINYL GUTTER?
- Vinyl gutter has unique shape, not interchangeable with other systems
- Vinyl has an outdoor plumbing look
- Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature extremes causing stress at joints
- Vinyl more prone to leak than metal systems
- Vinyl can not be easily painted if a different color desired
- Metal gutter, common profile, interchangeable , fits all 5” K or Ogee systems
including seamless gutters.
- Temperature extremes do not affect metal gutter expansion or contraction at joints
- Metal “K” gutter profile blends into roof line
- Paintable finish if a color change is desired
- Wide choices of hanging brackets to meet every need
- Two sizes of downspout to handle extreme drainage requirements
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3. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I NEED?
- Metal gutter installations sheets begin every sale or question. Tear off pads should be in all stores and begin the process
a) Identify parts
b) How to measure
c) How to install
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4. WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR MY NEEDS?
- Check the web site www.Amerimax.com
- Or call 1-800-347-2586; ask for inside sales East Coast time 8 – 5 week days
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5. WHAT ARE EAVE TROUGHS?
Another name for gutters
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6. WHAT ARE LEADERS?
Another name for downspouts
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7. WHAT ARE SEAMLESS GUTTERS?
- One piece gutter roll formed at the job site
- Typically used on new homes
- Same profile as stick gutter
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8. WHAT ARE STICK GUTTERS?
- Typically 10’ lengths sold in home centers
- Some stores stock 16’ and longer lengths
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9. WHAT IS “K” STYLE?
- The shape or profile of the gutter, also called OGEE
- Some metal gutters are half round
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10. CAN I MIX METALS; ALUMINUM and GALVANIZED GUTTER AND PARTS?
- Not recommended to mix metals
- Paint protects the surfaces and delays catalytic reaction of dissimilar metals
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11. HOW MUCH PITCH IS REQUIRED FOR GUTTER RUNS?
- Water seeks its own level, a level gutter system eventually would drain to downspout end
- Recommended, gutter slope ¼” to ½” for a 10’ to 20’ gutter run
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12. HOW MANY DOWNSPOUTS DO I NEED?
- Gutter capacity is determined by downspout drainage area
- General rule, one downspout per 20 feet of gutter
- Wide roofs and heavy rainfall areas will require more drainage in some cases
- Two sized downspouts are available
- standard 2”x 3” = 186 gal. minute
- commercial size 3” x 4” = 434 gal. minute
- Commercial size downspout will fit 5” gutters, requiring 3” x 4” outlets and elbows available where 3” x 4” downspouts are stocked
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13. HOW MANY DOWNSPOUT BANDS DO I NEED?
Two per 10’ piece of downspout
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14. HOW DO I CUT METAL GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUTS?
Hack saw or tin snips best way
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15. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HANG GUTTER?
- Several types of hangers are available , best method….HIDDEN HANGER
WITH SCREW, mill finish, unpainted, can be used with any color "K"
style gutter
- Most common method , SPIKE and FERRULE
- SCREWS and FERRULES are available in heavy snow and ice load areas
- If there are no fascia boards… use ROOF HANGERS, 4 per bag with hardware,
install under the roof shingles
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16. HOW MANY HANGERS DO I NEED?
- Ice and snow load areas … one every 18”
- Standard spacing … one every 24”
- Not necessary to hit the end of a rafter with hanger
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17. WHAT IS A FERRULE?
Plastic tube that inserts inside the metal gutter to prevent crushing when
installing the screws and spikes
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18. WHAT IS THE BEST CONNECTOR?
- Two options, slip joint and SEAMER, the SEAMER is the best
- SEAMERS sold Two per bag with 1 oz. Tube of sealant SEAMERMATE
- SEAMERS easiest to use and better appearance
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19. WHEN IS A CONNECTOR NECESSARY?
- Gutter to gutter
- Gutter to mitre ( corners)
- Gutter to end with drop
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20. DO I NEED CAULK AND HOW MUCH?
- SEAMERMATE sealant is required for connections and inside the mitre corners
- 1 oz. Trouble Shooter clip strip on a card
- 10 oz. Cartridges , extra long nozzle for easy application into gutter areas
- Average consumption , ½ oz. per connection
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21. WHAT DOES “CRIMP” MEAN?
- Pinched
- One end of each elbow and downspout is crimped
- Crimped end fits inside a connecting piece
- Always have the crimp end facing down to prevent leaks
- Cut ends of downspout can be “hand crimped” with needle nose pliers
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22. DO I NEED SHEET METAL SCREWS TO SECURE ELBOWS?
- Yes, sheet metal screws, 8 pcs. bubble packs and 100 count available
- Rivets may be substituted and are available in the store’s gutter area
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23. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “A” and “B” ELBOWS?
- FRONT or “A” elbows direct run off straight from downspout
- Two Front elbows used at the top of downspouts to direct system to wall
- SIDE or “B” elbows direct water right or left , used at bottom of downspouts
- FLEX-ELBOWS are available; these plastic elbows adjust to function as a front
or side elbow and can connect non standard installation challenges, e.g. to rain
barrels
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24. WHAT IS AVAILALBLE TO KEEP DEBRIS OUT OF A GUTTER SYSTEM?
- STRAINER, expanded metal dome fits into downspout opening, basic
- 3’ PLASTIC SNAP – IN GUTTER GUARDS, diamond shaped openings on
surface help identify our product, other manufactures have circular holes ,
product helps prevent leaves and debris from clogging or causing over flows,
available white, black, brown
- 3’ HINGED GUTTER GUARDS, metal domed shaped, self- cleaning, two
stainless steel clips hold guard in place, hinged to allow “ flipping open” to clear
debris
- 6” x 20’ ROLLS of plastic or aluminum netting, best when used with girders, 8
packs, hold rolls in place with domed self cleaning shape.
- TOTAL 4’ GUTTER COVER , white or clay, plastic, snap in, ultimate coverage, capillary action allows water to roll off front lip into gutters while leaves, branches and pine needles wash clear
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25. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHECK MY GUTTER SYSTEM?
- Every system should be checked twice a year, spring and fall
- Tennis balls, bird nests can clog a system and create a wet basement
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26. WHAT CAN I USE TO DIRECT WATER AWAY FROM THE FOUNDATION?
- FLEX-A-SPOUTS are ideal for channeling water up to 55" away from downspouts,
twist into a shape to customize your rain channel around shrubs and obstacles
- SPLASHBLOCKS, molded plastic blocks that are placed under downspout
elbows
- DRIPPER FLIPPER, attach to downspout elbow, hinged to move up in mowing
areas
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27. WATER IS NOT GETTING INTO THE GUTTER, IT DRIPS BETWEEN THE
FASCIA AND GUTTER, HOW CAN I FIX THIS?
- This is due to the shingle overhang and gutter height on the fascia board, easiest
to correct with a 10’ metal drip edge. Various profiles available in every store
- DRIP EDGE can be fitted to existing systems, slip under the shingles and friction fit or nail every 3’
- Be sure the drip edge drop dimension allows the water to carry into the gutter
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28. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON YOUR PRODUCTS?
Amerimax Home Products warrants to the original consumer
purchaser all materials to be free from defects in material and workmanship
at time of purchase. Warranty applies only if materials are installed and
maintained according to Amerimax's recommended practices and installation instructions.
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29. DO YOU HAVE AN ADJUSTABLE ELBOW?
Yes- Flex-elbow; please see gutter accessories
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30. CAN I PAINT YOUR GUTTERS? WHAT IS THE PROCESS? WHAT KIND OF PAINT SHOULD I USE?
For painted aluminum or painted galvanized steel gutter, the most important thing is to make sure the gutters are completely clean and dry. Use any exterior latex paint to complete the project.
For bare galvanized gutter, clean with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Clean completely and allow to dry. Check with your local paint expert to make sure an exterior latex will work with the bare galvanized steel.
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31. HOW DO I INSTALL GUTTER IF I HAVE NO FASCIA BOARD?
Use a hanger with roof strap.
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32. HOW DO I REPAIR LEAKING GUTTERS?
Refer to the tutorial on cleaning and inspection in the “Do It Yourself” link
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33. DO YOU HAVE MITRES THAT ARE MORE OR LESS THAN 90 DEGREES?
The majority of applications will require a 90 degree mitre; for
applications of more or less than 90 degrees, a custom mitre, made in a
sheet metal shop may be the solution.
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34. WHAT GUTTER LENGTHS ARE AVAILABLE?
Gutter is made to order and is available in almost any length, but most home centers carry on 10'; some may carry 16' and 20' or 21'.
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35. WHAT IS THE THICKNESS OF THE FLASHINGS?
Flashing thickness varies; please check flashing page on website for more information.
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36. WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR PRODUCTS?
In many leading home centers throughout the United States.
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37. MY FASCIA BOARD IS SLANTED. HOW DO I INSTALL GUTTER?
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