Where Should Gutters and Downspouts Be Placed?

Which roof edges need gutters?

Gutters go along the eaves, the horizontal lower edges of the roof where water runs off. Rake edges (the sloped edges on gable ends) do not get gutters because water does not run off them. Not every eave strictly needs a gutter, but most do:

• Over entries, walkways, patios and decks, so people are not walking through a curtain of water and ice does not form on steps.
• Over foundations, basements and crawl spaces, which covers most eaves on most houses.
• Where the soil is clay. The International Residential Code, adopted with amendments in Wichita and Sedgwick County (Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Building and Trade Code (2018 IRC adoption and permit exemptions)), calls for roof drainage to be discharged at least 5 feet from foundation walls where expansive or collapsible soils are known to exist (ICC, 2018 International Residential Code, Section R801.3 roof drainage).
• Where roof water would splash onto siding, windows or a lower roof.

Some homes skip gutters on short eaves over a lawn that slopes steeply away. That can work, but it is the exception.

Where downspouts should go

1. Follow the water. Each run slopes toward its downspout. Long runs often slope from the middle to a downspout at each end.
2. Near corners, where downspouts are least visible and can drain both directions of a corner.
3. Close to valleys, which dump concentrated water.
4. Where the ground slopes away, so discharged water keeps moving away from the house.
5. Away from walks and drives that would ice over in winter. Wichita's average freeze window runs from about late October to early April (Wikipedia: Wichita, Kansas (climate)).
6. Not toward neighbors, shared drives or public sidewalks.
7. Not behind obstacles such as AC units, gas meters or electrical equipment.

How far should the water go?

Farther is better, onto ground that slopes away. The 5-foot code figure for expansive soils is a useful minimum to keep in mind. Options for getting water there include extensions, splash blocks, buried solid pipe to a pop-up emitter or daylight outlet, and directing water to a rain garden or rain barrel. The EPA's Soak Up the Rain program encourages redirecting downspouts to lawns and gardens rather than pavement, while noting that local rules and site conditions matter (EPA Soak Up the Rain, disconnect and redirect downspouts). See downspout drainage options.

Lower roofs and upper roofs

On two-story homes, upper gutters sometimes drain onto a lower roof. That concentrates water on a small patch of shingles, which wears them faster and can cause leaks. Better practice is to extend the upper downspout down to the lower gutter, or across the lower roof to the ground. If an upper downspout must drain onto a lower roof, a splash pan or diverter helps.

Garages, porches and additions

• Detached garages and shops often shed water onto driveways. A gutter on the drive side with downspouts to the side yard keeps water and ice off the slab.
• Porch roofs drain right where people walk; gutters there make a big difference.
• Additions sometimes create a new valley or a long run that the original gutters were not planned for. Check capacity at the joint between old and new roofs.

Placement mistakes to avoid

• Downspouts ending in a short elbow against the foundation.
• Too few downspouts on long runs.
• A downspout in the middle of the front wall when a corner would work.
• Upper downspouts draining onto lower shingles.
• Water discharged onto a driveway or sidewalk that freezes.
• Buried lines with no cleanout or no downhill outlet.

For sizing decisions that go with placement, see 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters, and for the hardware at the bottom, downspouts and drainage.

Planning on paper first

A simple sketch helps. Draw the outline of the house and roof from above, mark each eave and valley, and draw arrows for the direction water flows on each roof plane. Mark where the ground slopes away, where walks and drives are, and where you do not want water. Then place downspouts where arrows meet good discharge spots. Bring the sketch to any estimate conversation; it makes placement decisions faster and clearer.

Placement and gutter guards

If you plan to add guards, place downspouts so outlets are easy to reach for occasional checks, and consider larger outlets that clog less. Guards reduce debris but do not stop fine material from reaching outlets.

Placement and future projects

Think about patios, decks, fences and landscaping you may add later. A downspout in the middle of a future patio becomes a problem. Placing downspouts at corners and planning buried lines around future projects avoids moving them later.

Finally, walk the property during a heavy rain after any change. Water shows you quickly whether the new placement works.

Related services

• Gutter Installation: New seamless gutters and downspouts measured, sized and pitched for your roof.
• Downspouts & Drainage: Add, upsize or relocate downspouts and carry water away from the foundation.
• 5-Inch vs. 6-Inch Gutters: How gutter and downspout size is chosen, and when 6-inch gutters are worth it.

Sources: ICC, 2018 International Residential Code, Section R801.3 roof drainage; Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Building and Trade Code (2018 IRC adoption and permit exemptions); EPA Soak Up the Rain, disconnect and redirect downspouts; Wikipedia: Wichita, Kansas (climate).