Gutters in Bel Aire, KS

A young city with a lot of new roofs

Bel Aire started in January 1955 as a water improvement district on Wichita's northeast edge, and it incorporated as a city on November 26, 1980, after a two-year legal dispute with Wichita. It had 8,262 residents in the 2020 census, and its housing count climbed from 2,554 units in 2010 to 3,258 in 2020, a jump of more than a quarter in ten years.

That growth shapes the gutter questions here. A lot of Bel Aire homes are less than 15 years old and still wear builder-installed seamless aluminum gutters. Those are often fine, but builders tend to install the minimum: 5-inch gutters, 2x3 downspouts and short splash blocks. On larger roofs with steep pitches and long valleys, that can mean overflow at inside corners during heavy storms.

Common gutter issues in newer Bel Aire homes

• Overflow at valleys. Where two roof planes meet, water concentrates and can shoot past the gutter lip. A diverter, a larger downspout or a move to 6-inch gutters can help.
• Downspouts dumping onto sidewalks or into neighbors' yards. Tight lot lines in newer subdivisions leave little room. Underground lines or redirected extensions are common fixes.
• Pitch problems. Gutters hung level or with low spots hold standing water, which leads to stains, mosquitoes and early wear.
• Loose hangers. Fasteners driven into fascia that was not well backed can loosen as the gutters fill with water and debris.

The older side of Bel Aire

Homes from the city's earlier years, many built in the 1960s and 1970s, are more likely to have sectional gutters with seams that leak, faded or chalky finishes, and fascia boards that have soaked up decades of overflow. Replacing gutters on those houses is a good time to check the fascia behind them, because rot there is easy to miss from the ground.

Creek-side drainage

Bel Aire lies on the north side of the East Fork of Chisholm Creek. Lots near the creek and its drainage channels tend to be flat, and water that leaves a downspout may not have far to fall before it meets the water table after a wet spell. The EPA recommends directing downspouts to lawns, rain gardens or other areas where water can soak in rather than onto pavement. On clay soils, moving water at least 5 feet from the foundation helps protect basements and slabs.

Storm season

Like the rest of the Wichita area, Bel Aire sees most of its roughly 34 inches of annual precipitation in spring and early summer thunderstorms, often with hail. Aluminum gutters and downspouts dent easily, so they are often included when a roof is replaced after a hail claim. If you are going through a claim, ask your adjuster whether the gutters were included and keep a copy of the estimate.

Permits and HOA rules

Bel Aire has its own city offices. Simple gutter work rarely raises permit questions, but if your project includes fascia or roofing work, check with the city first. Many newer neighborhoods also have HOA rules on exterior colors, so it is worth confirming the color before ordering new gutters.

Share what is going on with your gutters and we'll call you back. Published national ranges are in the gutter cost guide.

A seasonal checklist for Bel Aire homeowners

In spring, walk the house during a steady rain and look for water spilling over corners or dripping from seams. In early summer, after hail season, check the gutters and downspouts for dents. In late fall, clear leaves and check that extensions are still attached after mowing season. A few minutes each season catches most problems before they reach the fascia or foundation.

Bel Aire gutter services

• Gutter Installation
• Gutter Cleaning
• Gutter Repair
• Seamless Gutters
• Gutter Guards & Covers
• Gutter Replacement
• Hail-Damaged Gutters
• Cost guide

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