Apron flashing

Sheet metal that directs water from a roof onto a lower roof or into a gutter. Critical at roof-to-wall transitions and chimney bases.

Catch basin

A buried box at the low point of a yard that catches surface water and channels it into an underground pipe. Used in conjunction with French drains and downspout extensions.

Daylight discharge

The exit point of a French drain or downspout extension where water is released back to the surface, typically at a downhill location away from the foundation.

Downspout

A vertical pipe that carries water from gutters to the ground. Standard residential sizes are 2x3 inch (paired with 5-inch gutters) or 3x4 inch (paired with 6-inch gutters). Should discharge water 4 or more feet from the foundation.

Drip edge

L-shaped sheet metal installed at the roof edge that directs water into the gutter and prevents it from running back along the underside of the roof. Required by most building codes.

Dry well

An underground gravel-filled pit that collects water from downspouts or French drains and lets it slowly percolate into the soil. Used when daylight discharge is not possible.

Efflorescence

White mineral deposits that appear on foundation walls, brick, or concrete when water dissolves salts from the material and deposits them on the surface as it evaporates. Visible sign of water intrusion.

End cap

A small piece of metal that closes off the end of a gutter run. Sealed with gutter sealant. Failures cause water to leak from the gutter end.

Expansion joint

A flexible joint that allows gutters to expand and contract with temperature changes without buckling. Required for gutter runs longer than 40 feet.

Fascia

The horizontal board mounted at the edge of the roof, behind the gutters. Provides structural mounting for gutters and a finished look to the roof edge. Common materials: aluminum-wrapped wood, PVC, or fiber cement.

Fascia bracket

Heavy-duty metal bracket that attaches gutters to the fascia board. Recommended over older spike-and-ferrule systems because it spreads load and resists pull-out.

Foam insert gutter guard

Cheapest gutter guard type. A foam wedge fits inside the gutter to block debris while letting water through. Lifespan is 2-3 years before clogging in tree-heavy areas. Not recommended for Florida due to humidity and oak debris.

French drain

A buried perforated pipe in a gravel-filled trench, wrapped in geotextile fabric, that collects and redirects subsurface and surface water. Invented by Henry French of Massachusetts in 1859. Standard solution for chronic foundation moisture and yard drainage problems.

Galvanized steel gutter

Steel gutter coated with zinc to resist corrosion. More durable than aluminum but heavier and prone to rust at scratches. Less common in residential because of weight and cost.

Geotextile fabric

Permeable filter fabric wrapped around the gravel of a French drain. Lets water through but blocks soil and sediment from clogging the drainage pipe. Critical for system longevity.

Granule loss

Loose mineral particles from asphalt shingles that wash into gutters. Common on aging roofs. Heavy granule accumulation in gutters indicates a roof approaching end of life.

Gutter apron

A type of drip edge specifically designed to direct water from the roof into the gutter. Often referred to interchangeably with drip edge.

Gutter guard

Any device installed over or inside a gutter to block leaves and debris while allowing water through. Major types: micro-mesh (best, $11-15/ft), reverse curve ($14-18/ft), foam insert ($3-5/ft, short lifespan), brush insert (cheapest, frequently fails).

Gutter pitch

The slight downward slope of a gutter toward the downspout, typically 1/4 inch per 10 feet of run. Without proper pitch, water pools in the gutter and accelerates corrosion.

Half-round gutter

Semicircular cross-section gutter style, common on historic and high-end homes. More expensive than K-style ($1.50-2.50 more per linear foot). Lower capacity than K-style at the same nominal size.

Heat cable

Electric cable installed inside gutters and downspouts that prevents ice dams in cold climates. Common in northern states, rare in Florida. Typically adds $5-10 per linear foot to install.

Hidden hanger

A bracket that mounts inside the gutter and screws into the fascia, hidden from view. Modern alternative to spike-and-ferrule. Recommended for new installs.

Hurricane deductible

A separate insurance deductible that applies only when a named hurricane causes damage to a Florida home. Typically 2 to 10 percent of dwelling coverage. Applies once per hurricane season regardless of how many storms hit.

Hydrostatic pressure

The force water exerts on a foundation as it accumulates in soil. Sustained hydrostatic pressure causes foundation cracks, basement leaks, and slab heaving. Proper drainage relieves hydrostatic pressure.

Ice dam

A ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, preventing snow melt from draining and forcing water back under shingles. Common in northern climates, rare in Florida. Heat cables in gutters prevent ice dams.

K-style gutter

The most common residential gutter profile, named for its cross-section that resembles the letter K. Higher capacity than half-round at the same nominal size. Standard sizes: 5 inch and 6 inch in residential, 7 inch in commercial.

Lead head nail

Older fastener used to attach gutters via spike-and-ferrule system. The nail head was wrapped in lead to seal the hole. Largely replaced by hidden hangers and screws.

LeafBlaster Pro

A brand of micro-mesh gutter guard featuring a patented stainless steel mesh screen mounted on aluminum frame. Authorized installation requires certification. 25-year manufacturer warranty.

Linear foot

A unit of length equal to 12 inches, used to price gutter and trim materials. Pricing convention: total cost = (per linear foot rate) x (total length of gutter in feet). Standard residential install is 100-200 linear feet.

Loss mitigation coverage

An insurance coverage that reimburses Florida homeowners for emergency expenses after a storm to prevent further damage: tarps, water extraction, board-up, dehumidifiers. Typically capped at $5,000-10,000 and stacks on top of the main claim.

Maintenance failure

An insurance industry term for damage caused by lack of maintenance rather than a sudden event. Examples: water damage from clogged gutters, gutter detachment from rusted fasteners. Almost always excluded from coverage.

Micro-mesh gutter guard

The premium gutter guard type. A fine stainless steel mesh blocks even pine needles, oak leaves, and shingle granules while letting water through. Lifespan 25+ years. Typical cost $11-15 per linear foot installed. Brands: LeafBlaster Pro, Alu-Rex T-Rex, GutterGlove.

Miter

A corner joint where two gutter sections meet at an angle, typically 90 degrees at building corners. Inside miters and outside miters are formed differently and are leak-prone if not sealed properly.

NDS Certified Drainage Contractor

A certification offered by NDS (a major drainage products manufacturer) for contractors trained in proper French drain, catch basin, and surface drainage installation. Indicates above-average drainage expertise.

NRCA

National Roofing Contractors Association. Publishes the standard formulas and capacity ratings used to size residential gutters and downspouts. Most professional installers use NRCA standards as the baseline for sizing recommendations.

Public adjuster

A licensed professional who works for the homeowner (not the insurance company) on insurance claims. Florida law caps fees at 20 percent for first-year hurricane claims and 10 percent for emergency declared storms. Worthwhile for claims over $25,000.

Reverse curve gutter guard

A solid metal cover over the gutter with a small slit at the front. Water clings to the curved surface and runs into the gutter while leaves slide off. Cost $14-18 per linear foot. Performance varies in heavy debris areas.

Roof pitch

The slope of a roof expressed as rise over run. A 6:12 pitch rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. Steeper pitches require oversized gutters because water travels faster and creates more flow at the gutter.

Seamless gutter

Gutter formed on-site from a single continuous coil of aluminum, eliminating the leak-prone seams of sectional gutters. Only joins are at corners and downspout outlets. Standard for quality residential installations since the 1990s.

Sectional gutter

Older style gutter sold in 10-foot sections that snap or screw together. Sealed at every joint, which becomes the primary failure point over time. Largely replaced by seamless gutters except in DIY hardware store products.

Soffit

The horizontal underside of a roof overhang, between the fascia and the exterior wall. Often vented to provide attic airflow. Vulnerable to water damage from gutter overflow.

Splash block

A concrete or plastic trough placed at the base of a downspout to direct water away from the foundation. Cheap ($10-30 each) and effective for shorter dispersal distances. Less effective than buried downspout extensions.

Sump pump

An electric pump installed in a basin in the lowest point of a basement or crawlspace that pumps water out before it floods. Required where high water tables or perched water tables threaten the foundation.

Surface drainage

Water management at or above ground level: gutters, downspouts, swales, splash blocks, surface grading. Distinct from subsurface drainage (French drains, sump pumps).

Swale

A shallow graded depression in a yard designed to channel surface water away from a building or to a designated drainage area. Often combined with French drains for high-volume drainage.

Trough

The U-shaped channel of a gutter that holds and conveys water. The depth and width of the trough determine the gutter capacity rating in gallons per minute.

Underlayment

A water-resistant membrane installed under roofing material to provide a secondary water barrier. Asphalt felt or synthetic. Visible if shingles are missing - a sign of storm damage.

Water table

The upper surface of underground water in a soil. High water tables (common in coastal Florida) make French drain installation more challenging and require sump pumps in some cases.

Weep hole

A small drainage hole in a gutter, retaining wall, or foundation that allows trapped water to escape. Critical for preventing water buildup behind walls or in gutter low spots.

Windborne debris zone

Areas of Florida designated by code as requiring impact-resistant building materials due to hurricane risk. Includes most of coastal Florida. Affects gutter and roofing material specifications.