How to Install Aluminum Gutters
A working gutter system is an important part of any home construction. Gutters do more than simply channel rain water into downspouts. They also protect the home's truss system from water damage. Aluminum is a popular material for gutter construction, because it is light weight and very durable. Aluminium gutters are fairly install for a person with carpentry experience and a few common tools.
Supplies:
- Screw driver
- Tin snips
- Tape measure
- Drill and bits
- Aluminum gutters
- Facia brackets
- Screws
- End caps
- Silicone sealant
- Downspout
Step One: Measure and mark the side of the house to determine the gutter placement. It is important that the gutter have a 1/4 inch slope for every 10 linear feet of gutter.
Step Two: Purchase the aluminium gutter at a local home improvement store along with any necessary installation items such as brackets, screws and end caps.
Step Three: Use your measurements from the house and trim the gutter if necessary with tin snips to fit the installation area.
Step Four: Drill holes every 18 inches horizontally along the fascia board and install the brackets with 3/8 inch lag screws.
Step Five: Slide the end caps over the ends of the gutter on both sides and make sure they are snapped into place.
Step Six: Trim a hole near the end in the bottom of the gutter for the downspout installation. The hole should be roughly four inches in diameter to accomodate the downspout pipe.
Step Seven: Install the downspout connector and end cap. Use silicone sealant around the connector to prevent water leakage at the connection joint.
Step Eight: Connect the straight sections of the gutter to each other with short screws using a two-inch strip of aluminum which overlap the sections. These are called seamers. It is important to seal connections with a bead of silicone sealant to make the gutters watertight.
Step Nine: Mount the gutters in the previously mounted facia brackets on the house.
Step Ten: Let the sealant dry 24 hours. Test the gutters with a garden hose. Place the hose in the end opposite the downspount fill with water and make sure the water is flowing toward the downspout and there are no leaks in the seams.