The short answer
- Many New Orleans homes do fine with 5-inch K-style gutters.
- Larger and steeper roofs often need 6-inch gutters, which carry a lot more water before they spill.
- A 3×4 downspout has about twice the opening of a 2×3, and a second downspout can fix overflow without changing the gutter size.
- Rule out a clog first. If clean gutters still overflow, size or downspouts are the next suspects.
Gutter size in New Orleans matters more than most homeowners think. Our storms are short, heavy and loud. As a result, a gutter that looks fine on a sunny day can overflow in ten minutes of rain. This guide explains how to pick between 5-inch and 6-inch gutters for your house.
First, we cover why rain here is different. Next, we walk through the four things that decide the right size. Finally, we answer the questions homeowners ask us most.
Why gutter size in New Orleans is a bigger deal
New Orleans gets more than 60 inches of rain in a normal year. However, the yearly total is not the real problem. The problem is how fast the rain falls. For example, a summer thunderstorm can drop 2 inches or more in a single hour. You can check local rain records with the National Weather Service office for New Orleans.
Here is the simple roof math. One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof makes about 620 gallons of water. So a 2,000-square-foot roof can push over 1,200 gallons into your gutters in one inch of rain. In a fast storm, most of that water arrives in minutes.
When a gutter is too small, the water jumps over the front edge. Then it lands right next to the house. On top of that, our soil is soft and drains slowly. That’s why overflow here often ends up as standing water, rotted fascia or a wet crawl space.
5-inch vs 6-inch gutters: the short answer
Most homes in the country use 5-inch K-style gutters. Many New Orleans homes do fine with them too. However, more and more homes here need 6-inch gutters. Because a 6-inch gutter is wider and deeper, it carries a lot more water before it spills.
When 5-inch gutters usually work
- Smaller roofs with short, simple runs.
- Low-slope roofs where water moves slowly.
- Roofs with no large valleys dumping into one spot.
- Homes with enough downspouts, spaced close together.
When 6-inch gutters make more sense
- Large or steep roofs, such as camelbacks and two-story homes.
- Roof valleys where two slopes meet and pour into one corner.
- Long runs with only one downspout at the end.
- Homes under big live oaks, where leaves pile up fast.
- Houses that already overflow even when the gutters are clean.
In short, the bigger and steeper the roof, the more a 6-inch gutter helps. Also, if you see water pouring over a clean gutter, size is the likely cause.
Four things that decide your gutter size
A good installer does not guess the size. Instead, they look at four things on your actual house.
1. Roof area that drains to each gutter
First, measure the roof section that drains into each run, not the whole house. For example, a shotgun double may send most of its water to two long side runs. As a result, each of those runs carries a big load.
2. Roof pitch
Next, look at how steep the roof is. Water speeds up on a steep roof. Because of that, it can shoot past a small gutter during a hard rain. Victorian homes and camelbacks in Uptown, Bywater and the Marigny often have steep roofs.
3. Valleys and corners
Also, check where two roof slopes meet. A valley gathers water from both sides and drops it on one short stretch of gutter. That corner is usually the first place to overflow. In some cases, a larger gutter only at that section fixes the problem.
4. Downspouts
Finally, the downspouts matter as much as the gutter. A wide gutter with one small downspout still backs up. We cover downspouts in the next section.
Downspouts: the part people forget
Standard downspouts are 2 by 3 inches. Larger ones are 3 by 4 inches. A 3×4 downspout has about twice the opening of a 2×3. That’s why it drains water much faster and clogs less often with oak leaves.
In addition, the number of downspouts changes everything. A long run with one downspout forces all the water to travel the full length. However, adding a second downspout cuts that load in half. Sometimes this fixes overflow without changing the gutter size at all.
Where the water goes after the downspout also matters. For example, raised homes in Gentilly and Lakeview need water moved away from the piers. Slab homes in Metairie and Kenner need it moved away from the foundation edge.
Gutter styles on New Orleans homes
K-style gutters
K-style is the most common shape. From the side, the front looks a bit like crown molding. It comes in 5-inch and 6-inch sizes. Because the shape is deep for its width, it holds a lot of water.
Half-round gutters
Half-round gutters have a simple curved shape. They often suit older homes, such as Creole cottages and Victorian shotguns. Also, many homeowners in historic neighborhoods prefer their look. If your home sits in a local historic district, check the HDLC roofing guidelines before you change the style.
Seamless vs sectional
Seamless gutters are formed in one piece on site. As a result, they have no joints along the run that can leak. You can read more in our guide to seamless vs sectional gutters.
Signs your gutters are too small
Your gutters may be undersized if you notice any of these after a storm:
- Water sheets over the front edge even after a cleaning.
- One corner always overflows, usually below a valley.
- Mulch and soil wash out in a line under the gutter.
- Paint peels or wood softens on the fascia board.
- Water stains show up on the siding below the gutter.
- Puddles sit under the house or along the slab.
However, a clog can cause the same signs. So rule that out first. If the gutters are clean and still overflow, size or downspouts are the next suspects. A gutter repair in New Orleans can sometimes add a downspout or fix the pitch without a full replacement.
How we size gutters on your home
At Gutters Tech, we size each run on the actual house. First, we inspect the roof, the valleys and the current downspouts. Next, we measure each run. Then we recommend 5-inch or 6-inch gutters, and the downspout size and count.
Once you approve, we form seamless gutters right on our truck. After that, we install them, set the pitch toward each downspout and clean up the site. If you are ready for new gutters, see our gutter installation and replacement service. You can also learn more about our gutters in New Orleans.
FAQ: gutter size in New Orleans
What is the standard gutter size in New Orleans?
Many homes here have 5-inch K-style gutters. However, 6-inch gutters are common on larger and steeper roofs. Because our storms are so heavy, the bigger size is often the safer choice.
Are 6-inch gutters worth it?
They are worth it when your roof is large or steep, or when it has valleys. For example, a two-story home under live oaks usually benefits. On a small, low roof, a 5-inch gutter with enough downspouts can work well.
Can I just add downspouts instead of new gutters?
Sometimes, yes. If the gutter is in good shape and only one run overflows, an extra downspout may solve it. Also, upgrading from 2×3 to 3×4 downspouts can help a lot.
Do bigger gutters need more cleaning?
No. In fact, 6-inch gutters and 3×4 downspouts clog less often because debris has more room to pass. Still, homes under oaks need regular cleaning. Our guide on how often gutters should be cleaned explains the timing.
Do half-round gutters handle New Orleans rain?
Yes, when they are sized and placed correctly. A 6-inch half-round gutter suits many older homes. However, it holds less water than a 6-inch K-style, so downspout placement matters more.
How do I know which size my house needs?
The surest way is an on-site look at your roof area, pitch, valleys and downspouts. We do that during a free estimate and explain the options in plain terms.
Not sure if your gutters are big enough for our storms? Call (504) 305-0325 for a free estimate.
Not sure which size your house needs?
Gutters Tech looks at your roof and tells you what fits.