A: On many new-construction homes in North Texas, volume crews install thin gutters on top of the drip edge instead of behind it and skimp on downspouts. When heavy rain comes, water churns and splashes into the gap between the gutter and the fascia board, and over time that constant wetting rots the fascia. We see this often, and fixing it means tearing everything off, repairing the rotted boards, and reinstalling a properly hung system behind the drip edge with enough downspouts to carry the water.

A: Sectional gutters are sold in pre-cut pieces and joined together along each run, and every one of those seams is a place where a leak will eventually start. Seamless gutters are formed from a continuous aluminum coil on site with a portable machine, cut to the exact length of each run, so the only joints are at corners and downspout outlets. Because they’re formed at your home, seamless gutters have to be installed by a professional, and they’re the most popular configuration for that reason.

A: Our standard is the 3×4-inch downspout, which carries roughly twice the water of a standard 2×3-inch model. That extra capacity matters during heavy North Texas downpours, and the wider opening is much less likely to clog in leafy yards. A 2×3-inch downspout can still be the right fit on a small roof section with little tree cover, or where a larger profile would look out of scale. We recommend a size for each downspout location during measurement.

A: Mortar joints between bricks break down over time, and a strap screwed into a crumbling joint eventually works loose, letting the downspout pull away from the wall. Phillips drills into the brick itself with a special drill and anchors every downspout strap there, which holds far more securely for the life of the system. We also use more straps than many installers: two on single-story walls and three on two-story walls, so a long downspout stays tight against the house through North Texas wind and storms.

A: Aluminum doesn’t rust the way galvanized steel gutters do, and it’s far more durable than vinyl, which can crack and sag over time, especially through Texas heat. Aluminum also holds its shape and looks better on the home for years. Phillips uses .027-gauge aluminum coil rather than a lighter-weight material, and it arrives pre-painted in a range of colors so your gutters can be matched to your trim, brick, or roofline.

A: Yes, a small amount is normal. Up to about half an inch of standing water can remain in a gutter after rain until it evaporates, and it doesn’t mean the gutter was installed incorrectly. What isn’t normal is water spilling over the front edge during moderate rain, drips at corners, or a downspout that isn’t draining. Those usually point to a clog or a workmanship issue, and workmanship issues like leaks and loose gutters are covered under our limited lifetime workmanship warranty.