Urban Edge / Gutters / Portland, Oregon
Follow the water.
Gutters, downspouts and drainage sized for Portland rain. We measure every run and send the water away from your house, not into the siding or the crawlspace.
Detail A / The gutter
Sized for the roof, not the catalog.
A gutter is a small channel catching a lot of water. A steep roof, a long run or a valley that dumps into one corner can overwhelm a gutter that looked fine on paper.
We measure the roof area that drains to each run, then pick the size, the slope and where the outlets go. Fewer joints along the front means fewer places to drip, so we use the longest runs we can and seal every joint and corner.
[Note for Tim: confirm the sizes, hanger spacing and materials below before launch.]
| Item | Our standard |
|---|---|
| Profile | K-style, [5 or 6 inch, aluminum] |
| Slope | About 1/4 inch per 10 feet toward each outlet |
| Hangers | [Hanger type and spacing] |
| Behind it | Drip edge checked so water can't run behind the gutter |
Detail B / Outlets and downspouts
Most overflow is a downspout problem.
A gutter can only drain as fast as its outlets. One small downspout at the end of a long run backs water up until it spills over the front, usually right above a door.
We add outlets where the water collects, use larger 3 by 4 inch downspouts where the roof is big, and keep elbows to a minimum so leaves don't jam the bends.
| Downspout | Carries | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 by 3 inch | The standard size | Short runs, small roof areas |
| 3 by 4 inch | Close to twice as much | Large roofs, valleys, Portland's heaviest storms |
Detail C / Where it lands
The last three feet matter most.
A downspout that empties against the foundation puts all of that roof's water into your crawlspace. That's where wet framing, musty smells and rot under the floor start.
We carry the water away from the house to a splash block, an extension, a drain line or a rain garden, whichever your site and your city's rules allow. [Confirm: Portland downspout rules and whether you connect to drain lines.]
Field check
Why do my gutters overflow?
You picked: spills at one corner
A valley is dumping into one spot.
Two roof planes meet in a valley and send a stream of water into one corner. The gutter there can't take it, or the nearest outlet is too far away.
An outlet and downspout right at that corner, a valley splash guard, and sometimes a 6-inch gutter on that run only.
Schedule of work
Everything for gutters and downspouts.
- Step 1MeasureEvery roof plane, every run, every downspout path.
- Step 2Draw itA plan showing sizes, outlets and where the water goes.
- Step 3Fixed priceIn writing, by run. What it says is what you pay.
- Step 4InstallOld gutters off, fascia checked, new runs fitted and hung.
- Step 5Water testWe run a hose on the roof and watch every outlet drain.
Checks
Check us before you call us.
Two years on our work.
Our work is covered by a 2-year workmanship warranty, in writing.
From real customers.
Questions
What people ask first.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Around Portland, at least once in late fall after the leaves drop. Add a spring cleaning if tall trees hang over the roof.
Why does water spill over the front of my gutter?
Usually one of three things: a clog, a gutter that has lost its slope, or a gutter too small for the roof above it. We find which one before we quote.
Should I repair or replace my gutters?
If they're solid and just leak at the joints or sag, repair is usually enough. If they're rusted through, bent or too small, replacing them costs less over time.
Can you fix the rotten boards behind the gutter?
Yes. Overflowing gutters often rot the fascia boards behind them. We replace the soft wood before new gutters go up.
Free estimate request
Get a free gutter estimate.
We measure, draw the plan and give you a fixed price by run.
(503) 597-8520
We call or text back within one business hour.