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How To Install Rain Gutters On Your House

Dear DIY Today:

The gutters on my house are worn and leaking all over the place. I need new gutters and I'm not sure if I want to hire a contractor or if I want to install them myself. I've never installed gutters before. Could you give me some advice?

Lyle you could definitely save a lot of money by installing gutters yourself and in fact the money you save you could spend upgrading to a better quality gutter, say copper for example. If you are a do it yourself person you should install them but there are several pointers you need to look at before deciding:

• The shape and length of your house needs to be assessed. Most gutter installs are on the front and rear of the home. Precise measuring is extremely important before making your purchase.
• Do you have a lot of trees in your yard? When choosing a gutter you always have to keep in mind of the debris that will fall in to it. You could use gutter covers but that could turn out to be an expensive purchase. If you don't mind the extra work you could purchase some wire mesh and install it over your gutters.
• You need to make sure the slope of the gutter is correct. If it's improperly pitched the water can all end up in one place instead of draining through the downspout. This can damage exterior paint, brick walls and if it gets soaked into your wall it could cause dry rot. I would recommend a slope of at least 1/4" up to 3/8" every ten feet of the length of the gutter.
• The gutter needs to be attached securely as they pick up a lot of weight during a rain storm. Improperly installed gutters can shift or bend as a result of wind and you could end up with the pitch as described above being affected. The brackets holding the gutter should be installed every 24 inches and 6 inches from the ends.
• When you're finished it's a good idea to use a hose spray your roof with to make sure it's draining properly. Use a ladder for this as the roof will get slippery.

These are some basic considerations that you will run into. Others include choosing the style and color of your new gutter as there are many out there to choose from.

Once installed, don't forget to clean them at least twice a year. Check the gutter supports and make sure the downspout is clear. Use a hose to rinse out any remaining debris.

Good luck with your gutter project.
 

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