What is a Return Gutter?
A simple way to think of a return gutter is as a corner gutter section, or technically a gutter return. Often enough architects will design houses that have multiple roof sections coming together into one area.
Why Install a Gutter Return
The problem is when a roof slope leads down to a little 1 or 2-foot gutter that isn’t able to properly catch all of the water. Especially during heavy rains. The positioning puts the gutter halfway under the corner no matter which side the gutter is on. The water will go straight over the gutter in most situations.
Our solution is to install a return section or gutter return. It is basically a small gutter extension around a corner designed to catch as much water as possible.
To make the gutter to go around the corner properly another section of gutter and a miter are needed. (A miter is the corner sleeve that covers the gaps created by the seam of the two gutters.) Basically, the two gutter pieces are installed to form a 90 degree corner and the miter covers the corner seam. This configuration allows for as much water to be captured as possible compared to just a single gutter on either side. And especially when a gutter return is combined with a splash guard.
Corner Gutter Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Water Collection
- Splash Resistance
- Efficiency
Cons:
- Aesthetics
Splash Guards and Gutter Corners
You may notice in just about every gutter return photo we have, that you see a splash guard also installed to the gutter. That’s because a return gutter is necessary to install a splash guard to a corner. It’s simple, if there is no gutter on the corner you can’t install a splash guard there.
Furthermore, most returns are needed for the sole purpose of installing a splash guard to the corner. Basically for the splash guard to go around the corner the gutter also has to go around the corner.
In the two photos below you will see a great examples of the most common need for returns and splash guards. And that is garage corners and even more commonly on garage corners that bump out. Home designers expect a whole lot out of the very small gutters they suggest on garage corners. They almost never work out as intended and require splash guards at least. If the splash guards don’t work then the next step is a return gutter with a splash guard.
Keep in mind returns can be needed on any corner of the home and are not exclusive to garages. Garages are just the most common area. More people probably notice the water spilling over because the actually have to go near there. Whereas if it was on the rear of the home you may never notice the overflow because you are never out there when it is raining.
Gable Gutters
A gable gutter is just a more specified term for a corner gutter that goes under gables. In the photo below you see two gutters below what is called a gable. In the gutter world, a gable means there is no shingles or roof to collect water from. Therefore not much water goes to these sections. Sometimes a single gutter will stretch the whole way across a gable instead of two returns like pictured below.
Leaking from Return Gutter or Gable Gutter
Anytime you have a leaking coming from the end of a gutter it is a direct indication of a gutter pitch issues. Gutters are all sloped or pitched towards the downspout. That way all of the water flows in the correct direction. If you see water coming out of the end of a gutter like in the photo below, that means the water is moving in the wrong direction.
The same rules apply for return gutters or gable gutters. If you see water coming out of the end of the return gutter like this, then it is likely pitched in the wrong direction. CLICK HERE for more information regarding gutter pitch.
Leaf Protection on Gutter Returns
Often times the small garage gutters are the only gutters on that part of the home. Therefore it is also the only place for debris to go. The more debris then the more chances of clogs in this area. The normal solution to that is to add gutter covers to this area. But what about to corner gutter sections or return gutters?
The answer is yes, you can install gutter covers to the small sections. We suggest perforated aluminum gutter covers for all leaf protection needs. That is because they allow a decent amount of water into gutter system. Whereas many other types of gutter covers deflect the water onto the ground. Types of leaf protection such as gutter helmets or leaf filter are terrible to use in these situations because the water will go over the gutter instead of in. For more information about the different styles of gutter covers CLICK HERE.
Miter Leaks
All return gutter sections require a miter to connect the sections around the corner. The miter is essentially a corner. If you’re return gutter section is leaking from the corner then you may be experiencing a leaking miter. CLICK HERE for more information on Miter Leaks.
My Gutter Pro
93 Monocacy Blvd. A-6
Frederick, MD 21701
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One Response
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