Dear Glenn: Recently you published an article regarding gutter systems. It seemed to include all systems except for Rainhandler. Do you have an expert opinion on this type of system?

— Tom and Pam, Grosse Ile

Dear Pam and Tom: In the Midwest, many of our homes have basements, and we want to direct rainwater away from the basement walls. I don’t recommend Rainhandler for areas with clay soil (like most of southern Michigan). If your house is on sand or rock, and you don’t have a basement, the Rainhandler system may be OK.