Gutters are meant to carry the rainwater away from our house structures, and although it might look installing rain gutters is something straightforward (if you are not afraid of heights!), there are many things that could go wrong. If anything goes wrong when we replace our gutters, we will probably end up with a gutter system that doesn’t work properly, which could lead to leaks, and major problems, from siding damage to foundation issues. So, what should we consider to properly install gutters?
How do I make the water flow to the downspout?
This point might sound pretty obvious, but making the water drain to the downspout completely, without leaving any standing water in the gutter, is one of the most difficult parts. The idea is to play with the slope of the gutter depending on its length, to make it look straight to the eye, and therefore aesthetically good while having the proper angle to drain the water t
o the downspouts, which means gutter functionality.
The gutters need to be the right size so they are able to receive all the water coming from our roof. It is not the same a metal roof than composition or a tile roof, and it is not the same to have a roof pitch of 12/12 than having a 4/12. Usually, the house will need bigger gutters if, for example, it has a metal roof. Also, valleys are usually a place to watch out to assure the water doesn’t go over the rain gutter due to its amount and speed coming from the two parts of the roof converging together.
How do I hang my gutters?
In the past, gutters were hanged using nails. When a gutter is hanged with nails, it cannot be re-slope in case it is not working properly, so from some years now, screws are the industry standard. There are many types of screws, and we will use ones or the others depending on where is the gutter attached or the material we choose.
Rain gutters need to be hanged using hangers, which can be hidden hangers (inside the gutter), or exterior hangers, depending on the profile we choose. And guess what, yes, there are also many types of hangers, but the most common ones are the first type, the hidden hangers, that fasten the gutter from within. Furthermore, there are also different types of hidden hangers. For example, if you live in a location where snows a lot, you might need something stronger, a heavy-duty hanger, while if you live in a place like Seattle, or Kirkland, for instance, that won’t be necessary. The resistance of the gutter system is going to be also influenced by the distance between the hangers, being every other foot the standard for a composite roof and every foot for metal roofs.
The way our house was built is also a major factor when considering how to attach our new gutters. If your house has a fascia board, you will use that area to hang the gutters, but don’t forget you should replace first the parts that are rotten in case there is any. When a house doesn’t have a fascia board installed, you can attach the gutter to the rafter tails. There are a few cases in which the fascia board is installed in these houses. If you are attaching the gutter to the rafters, you may need bigger screws. And you may wonder why. Usually, the previous gutters were attached with nails, and you will need to get to the solid part of the wood to keep the gutters in place.
Lastly, when hanging or installing the gutters your safety is the number one priority. Double-check everything to confirm you are secured before doing anything. Every year many people are badly injured from roof and ladder falls when they are doing tasks related to roof and gutter maintenance an installation. This is one of the reasons why the insurances for gutter and roof companies are so expensive. If you don’t feel safe, don’t do it. You can always call a professional that will help you and ask for an estimate.
How many feet of gutter do I need?
First, we have to make sure we know the parts of the house where we are going to install our gutters. For example, dormers can be optional, and your house might have areas where the gutters are not needed.
Then, we will measure the horizontal length of one side of the roof, writing down the measurement, and then climb down the ladder and move it to measure the next segment. We will put together all the measurements to get the length of each side. Professional gutter installers will measure the gutter from the roof, once the old gutters are removed, and then will use the gutter machine to cut a custom gutter.
What gutter do I choose?
What a good question here! The most common gutters are the aluminum k style gutters, but you can find almost any style if you are willing to hire an expert. From aluminum to copper, or even embossed gutters.
Materials will also determine the gutter system durability and strength, and that’s the importance of checking the gauge of the material before buying anything. As a reference, standard seamless aluminum gutters gauge is usually 0.27 for residential gutter systems.
Before starting the diy gutter installation project, we must understand the difference and consequences of installing seamless gutter vs multiple seams gutter, because, the more parts the gutter is divided into, the more joints that could leak it will have. A gutter expert tip here: use a high-quality glue and apply it carefully in the joints, you will prevent many headaches in the future.
Just a note on the downspouts, for gutters less than 40 feet, we will need one downspout, but for longer pieces of gutter, we will slope it from the middle point to both sides, putting a downspout pipe in each end. Same as gutters, there are many types of downspouts, but the standard ones are the 2×3 aluminum corrugated pipes. We will talk more about them in future posts, so stay tuned!
Gutter installation services: What they include
Finally, make sure you understand the project and, maybe you want to consider asking for gutter installation or replacement estimates as well. Usually, gutter contractors include materials, installation, consultation, and, in case it is a gutter replacement job, the removal and disposal of the old gutters. And most of the gutter companies will offer a warranty to cover the next years after the installation.
Be safe and enjoy your new gutters!
