Guide to Installing Gutters Yourself
The purpose of a home's rain gutter system is to catch water coming from the roof and direct it away from the siding and foundation. Properly installed gutters make so that rain water cannot work its way into your basement, causing mold. Handy homeowners can install sectional gutters with the right tools and the help of a friend or two. Seamless and decorative gutters should be installed by professionals.
You will need:
- Rust resistant screws
- Gutter sections and components
- Chalk line
- String level
- Carpenter's level
- Tape measure
- Hacksaw
- Power drill and screwdriver bits
- Caulking gun and silicon caulk
- Ladder/scaffolding
- Determine where you want your gutters to direct water to. Gutters should catch the rainwater as it comes off the roof and then channel to a place where it will drain away from your house.
- Measure the edges of your roof. Lengths of gutter are most often sold in 10-foot sections, so determine how many sections you will need. Some pieces will need to be cut so that they fit, so add another 10-percent to your measurements.
- Using your measurements and the layout of your roof, determine how many other components you will need, such as elbows, end caps and drop outlets. You will also need to purchase a mounting bracket for every 2-feet of gutter run.
- Decide where you will be placing your downspout and begin installing your gutters at the opposite end of the roof. Measure about a half-inch from the edge of the roof and make a mark. Move to the end where you will be placing the downspout and measure down a half-inch again. Use a string level to make sure that the two marks are level with each other.
- Calculate the necessary slope for the rain water to flow toward the downspout. The gutters should slope 5/8-inches for every 10-feet. Create the slope starting at the end opposite the downspout and mark the line using a chalk line. This will be the guideline for installing your gutters.
- Install the gutter system components, drop outlets, corners and mounting brackets. The easiest way to do this is using rust-resistant screws, a power drill and screwdriver bits.
- Working from your ladder or scaffolding, carefully install the individual sections of gutter in the brackets and join sections together using gutter connectors.
- When needed, cut the sections with a hacksaw.
- To prevent leaking, run a bead of caulk between each section of gutter.
- Install an elbow at the end of the drop outlet. Measure, cut and then install the downspout.
- Firmly attach the downspout to the side of your home using mounting brackets.