How to Install Gutters

To keep any home safe for families to live in, it should not only have a roof but gutters around the roof as well. This is to direct rain water to its proper drainage area and not just drop on the ground around the house. With gutters, the roof and the entire house is kept in good condition rain or shine.

First step is to check the wood surrounding the base of the roof specifically the fascia board and soffit. Rotten wood should be replaced. Also, it’s best to prime and paint the wood before hanging the gutters.

Take the necessary measurements around the roof and the height of the downspouts. For the downspout, add four feet to each of them so they extend away from the bottom part of the house.

Snap chalk lines on the fascia and make sure they’re straight using a level. You can then insert hidden hangers in the gutters. From the end cap, measure six inches for the first hanger and then at least every two feet apart for the succeeding hangers. Screw the hangers just enough to penetrate the back part of the gutter. The hangers are intended to support the gutter and make the front edge sturdier.

To join gutters, make sure you do this part on the ground to make it safer for you. Experts recommend that instead of butting the parts together and just putting a seam cover on the joints, it would be better to make one end of the gutter overlap by at least two to four inches the other gutter and then apply caulk to keep them together. This will even make the gutter sturdier when it holds running water.

The end part of the gutter should extend one inch past the edge of the fascia board. This is to enable the gutter to catch water from the overhanging shingles.

From there, attach the end caps using zip screws or rivets and apply gutter sealant to prevent leaks.

Next, determine the areas where you will put your downspouts. You can measure back from the fascia corner to the center of your preferred downspout location. On the gutter, create a hole with a screw and cut it out after which you can already insert the outlet starting from the inside of the gutter. Then secure it with screws and rivets and apply gutter seal around the area where the spout meets the gutter hole again, to prevent leaks.

The downspouts need to be installed in a sloping manner to allow water to flow freely and prevent standing water that can lead to corrosion and leaks. Ideally, the slope should be at least 1/4 inch for every 10 feet of gutter.

When hanging the gutter, first align the top edge of its back with the chalk line you earlier made on the fascia board and then screw the hangers to secure it. It is also a good idea to install a metal gutter apron flashing beneath the shingles and then over the gutter’s back edge. This will prevent water from running behind the gutters and eventually damaging the fascia board and soffit.