I live in a 1950s house near Broad Ripple. Big maples. A sloped yard. Pretty, sure—but my old 5-inch gutters were a mess. Every storm, water poured over the edges like a mini waterfall. The basement started to smell like a wet towel. You ever get that feeling where you know a problem is small, but it still nags you? That was me, staring at that front corner drip. I later pulled together a deeper photo-heavy rundown in my full review of Indianapolis gutters and downspouts if you want even more nuts-and-bolts detail.
What I had before (and why it failed)
- 5-inch aluminum K-style gutters with tiny 2×3 downspouts
- Loose spikes pulling out of the fascia
- Two downspouts dumped right at the foundation
- No guards, so maple “helicopters” choked every elbow in spring
One bad July storm filled the gutters in minutes. Water ran behind the siding. My front flower bed turned into a muddy moat. I was done.
What I chose instead
I got three quotes and went with a small seamless shop out of Speedway. Not the cheapest, not the flashiest. But the tech actually walked the yard with me. He pointed at the grade around the porch and said, “Your water has nowhere to go.” That felt right.
Here’s what they put in:
- 6-inch seamless aluminum gutters (matte bronze; the color looks clean)
- 3×4 downspouts on all corners for more flow
- Hidden hangers with long screws, about every 24 inches (closer at the corners)
- Steeper pitch on the long back run
- Two buried extensions: 10 feet out to pop-up emitters by the sidewalk
- Micro-mesh guards on the back side only (tall trees there), left the front open
They also sealed one wavy fascia spot and swapped two rotted boards. That part surprised me. They just did it and showed me the old wood after.
How it went, day by day
Day 1: Tear-out and install. The seamless machine spit out long runs right on the curb. I loved that the miter cuts looked tight. Nerdy, I know.
Day 2: Buried drains and two pop-up heads in the lawn. They packed the soil back in a neat line. My kid still found a screw, but hey, they picked it up fast. I actually shuttled a few tools in my buddy’s Discovery that morning; if you’re a car nerd too, you might enjoy my honest take on Land Rover Indianapolis—from test-drive to service bay.
Day 3: A quick fix—one inside corner dripped after a test spray. They came back, nudged the pitch, and added butyl sealant. Five-minute job. No grumbling.
Real-world test: spring and summer
- April leaf-and-helicopter storm: No overflow. The mesh caught the maple bits. I rinsed it with a hose, and the stuff slid right off.
- June downpour: The new 3×4 downspouts moved water like a champ. The basement stayed dry. I actually went downstairs twice just to check.
- July hail: No dents I can see. The paint still looks even.
After that first big storm success, my partner and I rewarded ourselves with a downtown date—if you’re hunting ideas, here’s a grown-up night in Indy, first-person guide that maps out cocktails, bites, and late-night coffee stops. If you’re still looking for someone to share that victory lap with—and you’d prefer meeting matches who share your faith—check out my deep-dive into Christian Mingle, a review packed with sign-up tips, cost breakdowns, and honest success stats to help you decide if it’s the right dating app for you.
A small thing I love—my front step stopped frosting over in winter, since the water isn’t dripping there anymore. That’s such a small quality-of-life win, but it matters.
Things I didn’t love (but can live with)
- The micro-mesh hums a little in heavy wind. It’s faint, like a low buzz. It doesn’t last long.
- Buried pop-up heads need real estate. Mowing around them is a tiny dance.
- One downspout sits near the driveway. We added a flip-up extension for games and chalk art. It’s fine, but it’s one more thing to lift.
Money talk (because I always want the number)
- 170 feet of 6-inch seamless aluminum + 3×4 downspouts: $2,450
- 60 feet of micro-mesh guards on the back: $540
- Two buried 10-foot extensions with pop-up emitters: $380
- Rotten fascia fixes: $120
- Total: $3,490
- Time: 2.5 days, two techs, two visits for small touch-ups
For Indy, that’s mid-range. I got a higher quote from a big brand and a lower one from a guy with no warranty. I went middle. No regrets.
What I’d do again (and what I’d skip)
Would do again:
- 6-inch gutters for tree-heavy streets
- 3×4 downspouts, always
- Buried extensions away from the foundation
- Micro-mesh only where trees hang heavy
Might skip:
- Guards on the front run. It’s open sky, so cleaning is fast anyway.
Indy-specific notes no one told me
Before I forget, if you want a well-organized primer on gutter sizing and rainwater management, the guide at ALCO lays it out in plain English. I also nerded out over the gutter sizing guide from SAF which breaks down flow rates if you want the math.
- Maple helicopters act like tiny shovels. They wedge under cheap screens. Mesh handles them.
- Sycamore bark and cottonwood fluff clump in elbows fast. Larger downspouts help a lot.
- Winter freeze-thaw can pop nails. Hidden hangers with screws stay put.
- Clay soil near the foundation holds water. Get those downspout outlets way out—8 to 10 feet if you can.
Got friends flying in to help with a project weekend? Point them toward my roundup of four boutique hotels in Indianapolis so they land somewhere cool (and close to good coffee). On the other hand, if you need an extra set of hands and your crew is based on the East Coast—say, around Brockton, Massachusetts—don’t overlook the local online boards that let you post up quick requests; this Doublelist Brockton guide walks you through how to safely create listings, vet responses, and actually meet reliable locals when you’re in a pinch.
Maintenance I actually do now
- Hose test every April and September (takes 10 minutes)
- Quick check after major storms for sag or splash marks
- Keep splash blocks straight; kids love to kick them
- Clear the mesh with a soft brush once a season
I also marked where the buried lines run. I used orange paint. So when I aerate the lawn, I know where not to poke. Learned that the hard way.
Who this setup fits
- Older Indy homes in Broad Ripple, Butler-Tarkington, Meridian-Kessler—big trees, old fascia
- Low-slope roofs that push water slow but steady
- Anyone with damp corners in the basement or water lines on brick
If your place is newer with fewer trees, 5-inch may be fine. There’s a handy chart in the Forbes Home gutter size guide that compares roof square footage to gutter capacity if you need a quick reference. But if you’ve got leaf litter or those spring helicopters, 6-inch with 3×4 downspouts saves headaches.
Final feel
I didn’t expect gutters to change how my house feels. But it did. The yard drains better. The porch stays clean. The basement doesn’t smell musty. It’s not magic. It’s just…right. We even had enough peace of mind to snag tickets to “Wicked” at the Murat; if theater’s your thing, here’s how that night went down—spoiler: the new roofline kept my playbill dry on the sprint from car to venue.
Would I recommend 6-inch seamless with larger downspouts in Indianapolis? Yes. With a small note: plan your outlets. The exit matters more than the inlet. Get the water away from the house, and your home will thank you every storm. I know mine did.