Key numbers
103 verified hail storms with stones of 1.5 inches or larger reached El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, from 2000 to 2025 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 2000 to 2025 | 2000s: 35, 2010s: 44, 2020s: 24 Source: Storm library: El Paso County hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $352.8 million insured losses (2016 dollars), July 28, 2016 Source: RMIIA |
| 110 | Colorado law (HB16-1005) allows up to two rain barrels per household with a combined capacity of 110 gallons, filled only from rooftop downspouts and used outdoors. Source: Colorado State University Extension, 2016 law |
| About 30 | Copper downspouts last 100 years or more, while aluminum downspouts last about 30 years, per NAHB's 2007 study. Source: National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, 2007 |
| About 620 | One inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water that gutters must carry away. Source: Texas A&M AgriLife |
A storm counts when the library lists El Paso County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
K-style gutters are the standard choice for Colorado Springs homes because the profile carries more water than a half-round gutter of the same width and its flat back mounts tight to the fascia. The main decision is size. A 5-inch K-style gutter suits most single-story roofs and typical slopes. A 6-inch gutter makes sense for large roof areas, steep slopes, long runs and valleys that dump water into one spot. Integrity Roofing and Painting sizes the gutter and downspouts to your roof during a free assessment.
How to choose 5-inch or 6-inch
Gutter sizing depends on how much roof drains into each run and how hard it rains. Ask these questions about your house:
- How big is each roof plane? A large single slope sends all its water to one gutter.
- How steep is the roof? Steeper roofs shed water faster, and it can shoot past a small gutter.
- Is there a valley? Two slopes meeting in a valley pour concentrated water into a short stretch of gutter.
- Where do the downspouts go? Long runs with one outlet overflow first.
- Do you get overflow now? Overflow in a downpour is the clearest sign the current gutter or downspouts are too small.
A short, heavy thunderstorm tests a gutter harder than a long, steady rain, which is why we size for the worst corner of the roof, not the average one.
Strengths and limits of K-style
- Capacity. The flat bottom and deep profile hold more water than a half-round gutter of the same width.
- Mounting. The flat back fastens straight to the fascia with hidden hangers, without exposed brackets.
- Looks. The front profile reads like trim, so it suits most ranch, two-story and newer homes.
- Roof edge. The gutter hangs under the drip edge, which the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department requires on shingle roofs in El Paso County, so roof water lands in the gutter instead of behind it.
- Limits. The inside angles catch debris, and a dent from hail shows on the face. If you want a traditional look on an older home, half-round gutters may suit it better.
K-style and seamless go together
Most K-style gutters we install are formed as seamless gutters on site, so each run is one piece. Add a gutter guard if pine needles fill your gutters every fall. If hail dented your current K-style gutters, have the roof checked too; our hail damage page explains why.
Learn more before you decide
Compare all five styles on our Colorado Springs gutter overview, and read the best gutters for Colorado Springs homes for a homeowner’s view.
Who you are hiring
Integrity Roofing and Painting has been family-run since 1990 and is veteran-owned, an A+ BBB-rated business with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free inspection.
