How to Install New PVC Gutters
PVC rain gutter systems are among the easiest to install yourself because the pieces are lightweight and snap together. This is great for the homeowner who would rather install them on their own. With the proper tools and supplies, and the help of a friend, you can install your new PVC gutters in no time at all.
You will need:
- Ladder
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Chalkline
- Line level
- Drop downspout
- Tae measure
- PVC hanging brackets
- Screws
- Screw driver
- Gutter connectors
- Gutter end caps
- Gutters
- Miter saw
- Sandpaper
- 45-degree elbows
- Downspout pipes
- Downspout hangers
- Downspout couplers
- Place your ladder at one end of your roof and climb to the top. Make sure that you have a ruler, pencil and the downspout with you.
- Place the ruler flat against the roof so that the six-inch mark is at the bottom edge of your roof line and hold the downspout against the fascia with your other hand. Match up the end of the ruler and the edge of the downspout.
- Using your pencil, make a mark where the top screw hole of the downspout is on the fascia board.
- Go to the other end of the roof and repeat the same steps.
- Use your chalkline to snap a line between the two points. Use a small line level to make sure that the line is level.
- Go back to the end of the roof you started with and hook a tape measure to the end of the fasica board. Measure out 10 feet and use your pencil to make a mark about a quarter inch below your chalk line.
- Measure out another 10 feet and this time mark the spot a half inch below the chalk line.
- Continue measuring every 10 feet and adding another quarter inch to the distance below the chalk line. This makes the correct slope so the water will flow through the gutter.
- Line up your chalkline along these marks and snap a new line.
- Measure four inches from your original mark at the roof line and place a gutter hanging bracket to the fascia board using a screw.
- Place brackets every two feet from this mark.
- Place a gutter connector every 10 feet to the fascia board using screws.
- Place a drop outlet at the far end of your roof line.
- Place a gutter end cap to the first 10 feet of gutter.
- Rest the gutter along the top of the brackets and begin snapping it in place starting with the the first bracket. The far end of the gutter should snap in at the near side of the gutter connector.
- Lay another 10-foot section of gutter along the next set of brackets. Snap the first end into the gutter connector and then snap it into the brackets.
- Continue snapping the sections of gutter into the connectors and brackets.
- Cut the last section of gutter so that it fits properly. Mark the distance between the connector and drop out let on the back of the gutter and then use a fine-tooth miter saw to cut it.
- Sand any burrs and then snap the section of gutter into place.
- Cut a five-inch section of downspout pipe and attach it to the bottom of the drop outlet. Attach a 45-degree elbow to the bottom of the downspout pip so that it is facing toward the wall.
- Place another downspout on the end of the downspout pipe so that it is facing out.
- Hold the section of downspout against the wall of the house and measure the distance from one elbow to the other.
- Cut the downspout so that it fits between the elbows and insert it into the corresponding elbows.
- Place a hanging bracket over the outside of the downspout and screw it into place. Place a bracket every 18 inches.
- Put downspout couplers between sections of the pipe.
- Cut the downspout at the bottom of the foundation and place another elbow facing out.
- Add another scetion of downspout to divert the rainwater away from your home's foundation.