Gutters are important for your home’s overall functionality. They help shed rainwater and keep it from soaking into your foundation, landscaping, or causing damage to your house’s siding and windows. However, a gutter system is more than just a necessity; it’s also a major project that requires careful planning and preparation. Failure to do so can lead to a number of problems, from insufficient materials or tools to an over-spending or stalled project. Read on to learn more about Gutter Installation and how to avoid common DIY homeowner pitfalls.
Gutter systems come in many different styles and sizes to fit your house, its roof, and the amount of rainfall it typically receives. It’s important to carefully research the different options available and choose one that will work best for your home.
If you’re replacing an existing gutter system, inspect it to see how it was assembled. This will give you an idea of what order to reassemble the parts and how things should fit together.
The key to successful gutter installation is accurate measurements. Taking your go here time with this step will ensure that you’ll have the correct size of gutters, downspouts, and other components for the job. This will also ensure a precise fit and proper water flow.
Once you’ve measured your home and chosen a gutter style, it’s time to start collecting the necessary tools. Make sure that you have the gutters, downspouts, brackets, screws, sealants, and a sturdy ladder on hand before you start working. Having all of these things on hand will save you a lot of time and frustration during the project.
It’s also a good idea to have someone with you when working on a ladder. This will not only keep you safe from injury, but it will also allow you to work much faster and more efficiently. Plus, having an extra set of hands will be helpful when it comes to handling large pieces of gutter or even a heavy load of downspouts.
If you’re going to be using gutter hangers on your fascia board, it’s best to assemble these on the ground before lifting them up to the roofline. This will give you a better feel for how the hangers are positioned and help you spot any areas that might require additional support or reinforcement.
Gutter end caps are another essential gutter accessory that helps keep out debris and keep the gutters watertight. When installing these, be sure to run a thin bead of gutter sealant along the edge of the cap and the inside of the gutter before pushing the gutter end cap onto it.
Lastly, use a bubble level to double check your gutter slope. It should be about 1/4 inch per 10 feet of gutter run, to encourage the flow of water downhill and away from your house. If the slope is too steep, it can cause the gutter to sag or even pull off of the wall. A quick and easy way to test the slope is to temporarily tack a nail in place at the high point of the gutter slope, then snap a chalk line from the nail down to the lower point of the slope.