Gutters in Egypt Lake-Leto, FL

The Florida residential code requires gutters and downspouts on any building whose eaves stick out less than 6 inches, with exceptions for gable rakes and roofs above other roofs. On a home in Egypt Lake-Leto, where the median build year is 1980, a bare eave with no gutter is worth a second look before the next storm season.

Where the water lands is set by the termite-protection section of the same code: at least 1 foot from the sidewall, by underground piping, tail extension or splash block. Elevation here is only about 45 feet, and 5.2 percent of the area is water, so a downspout that dumps beside the slab can leave puddles near the foundation.

Leaders must be sized to the roof they drain. Per our arithmetic, a 2 1/2 by 3 inch leader moves 92 gallons each minute, while a 3 by 4 1/4 inch leader moves 192. Metal or approved plastic with sealed joints and corrosion-resistant fasteners is the standard for one- and two-family homes.

Southern live oaks in Central Florida can grow 60 to 80 feet tall and drop litter that clogs gutters. Pollen runs from January to June with a March and April peak, and pine needles fall most from September through November. A reasonable rhythm is cleaning after the spring oak drop, before the June through September storm season, and after the autumn needle peak.

A Florida home insurer, Tower Hill, says homes under overhanging trees or in frequent-storm areas need cleaning more often than the usual spring and fall visit. Consumer Reports found that fine-mesh guards outperformed larger-hole screens, but still struggled with severe downpours, so cleaning stays necessary in Hillsborough County's wet season.