Though rain gutters aren’t very impressive to look at, they are necessary to save the roof on your head from leaking. And to be honest, that was old times when gutters didn’t look attractive. But currently, with so many options available in the materials, it hasn’t become essential but kind of favorite too!
We have a variety of material in the gutter to select, from vinyl and plastic to aluminum and steel. Aluminum has the perfect strength to hold the water and lasts longer, but it is expensive too. Don’t get upset! There is an easy-to-install gutter available for do-it-yourselfers, which can work as well as aluminum ones. So let’s see how to install gutters by yourself.
Gutters collect the rainwater and dispose of it properly to the ground. The rainwater protective guard on the fascia will protect your landscape and prevent erosion & basement flooding. So it is No. Doubt. Necessary!
Here in this article, you will read about every little detail related to gutter installation. From how much time it will take to maintaining the one.
Table of Contents
How to install gutters?
source: brushstrokescleaning.co.uk
Now when you have decided not to hire someone and it on your own. Get your hands on the easy-to-install guttering essentials, many home centers and hardware stores are selling. But take the prompt decision on buying the one with quality.
Time
It will take you around two to three days to install the gutter altogether.
Cost
The average cost of installing gutters is somewhere between $1050 to $1200 for 120 to 250 feet. The costing may vary depending on the materials you use and the area of your fascia.
Materials required:
- Gutter
- Gutter sealant
- Gutter flashing
- Gutter hanging strap
- Elbows
- Downspouts
- ¼ inch screws (hex head or stainless steel screw)
- Lag screws or 1 ¼” screws
Tools used:
- Cordless drill
- Extension ladder
- Crimper
- Hex head driver (if getting hex head screws)
- Duckbill tin snips
Get the materials and toolkit ready before starting off. And make sure to get the additional materials as well, if in case there you need it. Having things on hand before starting off will help in saving time and staying calm during gutter installation.
Step 1:- Planning the Installation Process
source: guttermaid.com
Before stepping on the first stone of the process, planning is needed! You might have read about the importance of planning in college and might be practicing in daily life too. So take out the blueprint of the house and mark the locations for installing the gutter.
The planning process should include everything from getting the materials to assembling them into one and mounting to the fascia. You might have to make little changes while executing, but that’s okay!
Step 2:- Measuring the Roof
source: cloudfront.net
You can perform this step in the planning stage as well. It’s your choice. While measuring the roof, go through its length (cover the roof edges around the house) and take cautions like:
- Don’t lean without support,
- Place a ladder on the even ground, and ask someone to hold it (if necessary), and
- Wear shoes having enough grip.
Consider the size of the roof with the addition of an extra 2 inch. It will prevent the clogged up water at the end to affect the foundation of the house adversely. If the roof is longer than 40feet, the slope must run along both the sides from the middle and have downspouts at each end.
Step 3:- Cut the Gutters
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Once you have all the necessary measurements in your hand, you will have the information on where you will need to make turns in the gutter. Keeping that in your mind, cut the gutters into pieces. There are chances you will have to cut more than three sections, or only two will be enough!
When cutting the gutters, use a hacksaw or heavy-duty tin snips. If you are using a hacksaw, hold the frame of the gutter with one and use the dominant hand to hold the saw and move it back and forth slowly.
If your companion is heavy-duty duckbill tin snips, then first cut the edges and then work on the bottom part. Cut a 2inch long notch on the front lip of the gutter to the join corner piece (if needed).
Step 4:- Join the Gutter
source: coloradoseamlessgutters.com
Now you have the cut-outs of the gutter, join them, and TADA! You are done. There is a trick to join them, follow the instructions given below:
– First, lay the base of the gutter sealant on the edges, covering the area of around 1 ½ inch.
– The next step is to connect the corner piece with the gutter, utilize the notch for the proper fixing and snap it along.
– The last step is to secure it with the ⅛ inch rivets using a rivet gun. Caulk the seam with sealant from inside and put a dab of it on rivets too.
The joining section is over. Always remember! It’s better to join the parts on the ground rather than climbing the ladder and struggle with the process while balancing on it—complete 60% of the gutter formation on the ground.
Step 5:- Add Downspout Outlets
source: wordpress.com
The gutter runner is almost ready, a single alteration, and there you go. You will have the gutter prepared for the installation process. The channel will need a spot for disposing the water to its desired place and the bridge between them is downspout outlets.
If the gutter runs 40ft or more, have the downspout outlets located at both the ends. Before marking the spot of the downspout outlet, reconfirm how many inches away you want it to be. It is 2inches inside the wall, in general.
Next, mark the point from where the water will flow towards the desired location. How to do it? Follow the below steps:
– Mark the outlet with the pen or marker at the center of the bottom side of the gutter.
– Cut it using a tin snip start from the center and then run it along the highlighted area.
– Now apply the sealant, fix the downspout outlet and snap it. Fix it with the ⅛” rivets.
– Close it with a cap.
The ideal size to go for the downspout outlet is 2” x 4”. If you have a house in the heavy-rainfall region, go for the larger size for the same. It will help in the easy and fast flow of water during the torrential rain.
Step 6:- Fix the Fascia Brackets
source: eavestroughhamilton.ca
Your gutter is set and now get the fascia equipped with fascia brackets to hold it up steadily. But before that, you will have to mark the locations. The gutter needs to be installed in the sloping direction. Why? As it allows water to move towards the outlet quickly without overflowing.
Start off with nailing the ½ inch beneath the shingles and then move ¼ inch downward every 10ft. You can change the distance according to the length of the gutter. Use a string line and chalk to mark the positions.
You would have got the gutter hanger with the DIY kit of gutter installation. Fix them on the fascia at the marked area. Drill the ⅛ inch hole right through the fascia and wood rafter rails using a cordless drill. Now attach the ¼ inch lag screws or hex head screw using the tool required to fix it.
If you find penetrating the screw into the hole difficult, try after applying the soap on the screw.
Step 7:- Mount and Secure the Gutter on Brackets
You have a base waiting to be equipped with the gutter. Mount the gutter on the hangers, push and rotate them towards the fascia to place until it fits on the bracket perfectly. Make sure the downspout outlet placement is in the right direction.
Now using an electric drill, create a 3/16 inch hole at the front side of the gutter and put the 1” machine screw through the hole and secure it with the flanged nut.
Attach the gutter to fascia by fastening the screw from the backside of it to the rain spout. Punch in the 1 ¼” hex head screw using the electric drill at the distance of every 2 foot along with the gutter runner.
Before punching in the screw, check the alignment and assure it is going along with the marked position.
source: ksimw.net
Step 8:- Fasten Brackets to the Wall
In this step, you will have to fasten the brackets to the wall at a certain distance to hold the downspout firmly. These brackets will make sure that downspout doesn’t get misplaced with the heavy wind or when someone pushes it.
Without brackets, it will get difficult to have them stick to the wall. And if, in any case, the water overflows or there is leak from the elbows, it will directly result in the rotting of the wall or wood of the face board. You don’t want that, right?
Step 9:- Attach Downspouts via Outlet
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Last but not least, attach the elbows using sealant and ¼” hex head screw. You will have to use two angles, one moving towards the wall and fix another with it, which will be facing towards the ground.
Crimp the 1 ½ inch of the elbow end using a crimper to implant it with one another easily. Fix it with screws.
Now add downspout to the outlet and make sure it is in the proper direction for the drainage (leave the 4-5 inches of the wall from the ground). And if you wish to divert the flow into the field, attach a PVC pipe of 3” to 4”.
Close the brackets and secure them with sealants and screws. And let them settle down overnight. And the Gutter Installation is done!
Maintaining the Gutter
After the installing is done, maintaining is a must. The proper maintenance of the gutter will provide long-lasting life to it is well as the walls and basement of the house. Get the help of professional gutter cleaners to deep cleanse and remove the debris from the gutter.
With the proper maintenance of the gutter, you won’t face the problem that many house owners face. What is it? Backed-up drains and clogged downspouts. If you are planning to do it yourself as well, then use a garden hose for reliable results.
The speed of water will flush and deep cleanse the gutter.
source: iroofrestoration.com
Gutter! Gutter! Let the Water Flutter:
Isn’t that easy? Gather up the materials and tools and start working off! If you still find its steps confusing or difficult to remember, take a book, start noting down the key points to remember the topic. And while you are planning the things, make a checklist of materials and tools so you get the right things in the right amount.
Share your experience of installing the gutter with us in the comment section or on the social media platform! Stay tuned with Interiorcraze for from DIY projects like this, till then spruce up your interior nicely.
