Gutters

What it is.

The channels fixed along the lower edge of the roof to carry water away, along with any cover, guard, or screen fitted over them.

Why it matters.

A gutter is a long open tray positioned exactly where the roof, the eave, and the wall all meet. Needles and leaves collect in it and dry out. If they ignite, the flame is already at the roof edge and directly under the eave, which is the pocket that traps heat best.

What good looks like.

Noncombustible gutters fitted with covers or guards that keep debris out, or open gutters that are genuinely kept clear through the season.

How it is judged.

No test standard exists for gutters. Uncovered gutters are a vulnerability California requires sellers to disclose under Civil Code 1102.19, which is why the item appears in the disclosure part of your score rather than as a tested assembly.

What we will ask you.

"Are your gutters fitted with covers or guards, and when were they last cleared?"

Back to what we look at