Most homeowners only notice their gutters when something
goes wrong. Maybe there’s water spilling over the edge during a storm. Maybe
the paint along the roofline is starting to peel. Maybe the downspouts ice up
every winter. Maybe there’s a section that always seems just a little out of
place. And at first, it feels like a small problem. But gutters are not
cosmetic. They are part of how your home protects itself.

A gutter system is a water management system. It collects
and directs hundreds of gallons of water every time it rains or snow melts.
When the system is designed and installed with care, your roof, siding, fascia,
foundation, and landscaping all stay protected. When it isn’t, water finds its
own path-and water always wins.

This guide explains what true gutter craftsmanship looks
like in Salt Lake City. Not shortcuts, not gimmicks, not “one-size-fits-all”
installations. The difference between a gutter system that lasts decades and
one that fails after a few seasons is not the material. It’s the hands, the
decisions, and the pride of the person installing it.

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The Purpose of a Gutter System

A gutter system is not there to “catch water.” It’s there to
move water-quickly, consistently, predictably.

If water is allowed to gather along the roof edge, it will
soak fascia boards, creep under shingles, saturate soil near the foundation,
and stain siding. Over time, this becomes expensive damage. A properly built
gutter system keeps water moving before it has the chance to cause problems.

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Why Seamless Gutters Matter

Most hardware-store gutters come in short, pre-made
segments. Every seam is a future leak path. Temperature changes cause expansion
and contraction. Sealants break down. Small drips turn into big problems.

Seamless gutters are made in continuous runs-custom cut to
your home. This eliminates most failure points before the system is even
installed. But seamless is just the foundation. The real quality comes from
slope, hanger placement, downspout planning, and clean finishing.

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Why 6-Inch Gutters Are Often the Right Choice in Utah

A 6-inch gutter doesn’t sound much larger than a 5-inch
gutter, but the difference in capacity is significant. On steep roofs, wide
planes, or homes with multiple valleys, water gathers quickly. A 6-inch system
paired with properly sized downspouts can move that water without overflowing.

If your gutters overflow even when clean, the system is
undersized or improperly pitched.

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Downspouts: The Exit Path That Must Not Be Overlooked

The gutter collects. The downspout moves. If the downspout
is too small, too few in number, or poorly placed, the system will back up-no
matter how well the gutters were installed. Larger 3x4 downspouts, correctly
spaced and positioned, are essential.

A beginner puts downspouts where they fit. A craftsman puts
them where water needs to go.

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Hanger Spacing and Structural Integrity

Most gutter failures begin with sagging. Sagging happens
when hangers are spaced too far apart or fastened into weak material. A correct
system uses hidden hangers placed close, secured to solid structure, and
checked for tension after installation.

This is where craftsmanship shows-not in the product, but in
the precision.

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Leaf Protection: Valuable When Integrated Intentionally

Leaf protection is effective when matched to roof pitch,
gutter size, and surrounding tree types. It should never be used as a patch for
incorrect gutter sizing or slope. When installed correctly, it reduces
maintenance and keeps water moving.

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Winter Performance: Where Craftsmanship Really Matters

Salt Lake City and surrounding areas experience freeze-thaw
cycles. Snow melts during the day and refreezes at night. When meltwater has
nowhere to go, ice dams form. Ice dams force water backward-under shingles and
into the roof.

Heat cable is not meant to melt all the snow. It is designed
to keep drainage pathways open. When installed correctly:

• A zig-zag pattern warms the shingle edge 

• The cable continues through the gutter trough 

• It extends down the downspout channel 

This keeps water moving instead of freezing in place.
Without this planning, gutters freeze solid-and ice expansion can warp, split,
or tear a system from the fascia.

A poorly installed gutter system loses integrity in
winter. 

A well-installed one performs year after year.

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Comparison: Good vs. Better vs. Best Installations

GOOD INSTALLATION (Typical Contractor Work):

• Standard 5-inch gutters 

• Small 2x3 downspouts 

• Hangers spaced widely 

• One-size-fits-all slope 

• Leaf screens “optional add-on” 

Works for a while-until storms or winter expose weaknesses.

BETTER INSTALLATION (Skilled but Standard Practice):

• Seamless gutters 

• Correct slope based on run length 

• 3x4 downspouts in most sections 

• More thoughtful hanger spacing 

Lasts longer. Performs better. Still lacks design-level
planning.

BEST INSTALLATION (Craftsman-Level Work):

• Seamless gutters measured to each run 

• Gutters sized to roof plane volume 

• Downspouts placed intentionally for drainage direction 

• Hangers anchored to solid structure at close intervals 

• Leaf protection and heat cable installed where they improve function 

• System tested for flow before final cleanup 

The difference isn’t subtle. It shows in performance-and in
the lifespan of the home’s exterior.

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Why Homeowners Choose RGS Exteriors

RGS Exteriors is a five-generation exterior remodeling
company. You do not stay in business that long by doing fast work. You stay
because you build it right, every time.

Our gutter installations are defined by:

• Precision measurement and layout 

• Correct sizing for the home and roof structure 

• Strong hanger placement for structural strength 

• Downspout planning based on drainage patterns, not convenience 

• Leaf protection and heat cable where they are beneficial 

• Clean, solid finishing that looks as good as it performs 

We don’t build to get the job done.

We build to protect your home for decades.

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If You're Ready for a System Built to Last

If your gutters overflow, sag, clog, or freeze-let’s fix the
system, not just the symptom.

• Clear evaluation 

• Honest explanation 

• No pressure 

• No upselling 

Just craftsmanship you can trust.

Call (801) 997‑6616 

or request your free, no-pressure evaluation.

Your home deserves a gutter system that is built with skill,
intention, and care.

We build that.