How to Install Rain Gutters
Gutters are an essential home accessory. Gutters help keep water away from your home’s foundation and out of your basement. A properly installed gutter will catch any water coming off your roof and divert it away from your home's foundation. The task of installing rain gutters is best suited for a professional; however, with the help of a friend they can be installed by a handy homeowner.
Materials
- Chalk line
- Hacksaw
- Caulking gun and silicon caulk
- String level and carpenter's level
- Tape measure
- Ladder or scaffolding
- Gutter sections and componenets
- Power drill and screwdriver bits
- Rust resistant screws
- A friend
Steps
- Examine the outside of your home and determine how you would like the gutters to channel the water. When installing gutters, be sure the gutter will catch the water as it comes off the roof and divert it to an area away from your home where it will drain.
- Measure along the outer edge of the roof using a tape measure. Generally, gutters come in 10-foot sections. Use your measurements to determine how many sections you will need to purchase. Add about 10 percent to your measurement for waste as you will have to cut some pieces shorter to ensure a proper fit.
- Combine your roof measurement along with your gutter layout to calculate the number of gutter components you will need. Additionally, don't forget mounting brackets. You need these brackets for every 24 to 30 inches of run.
- Start at the end of your roof at the end opposite the downspout. Measure down about 1/2 inch and mark the spot. Move your tape to the downspout and measure down about 1/2 inch and mark the spot. Using a string level, ensure the accuracy of your marks and adjust them if necessary.
- Calculate how much of a slope you will need to ensure the water in your gutters will flow towards the downspout. Generally, gutters should slope down 1/16 inch for every foot of run. Measure down this distance from your first mark at the downspout end.
- Snap a chalk line from the lowest mark at the downspout to the single mark at the far end. This line will serve as a reference line when you begin installing your gutters.
- Install the components of the gutter system including the drop outlets, corners and mounting brackets. It is much easier to do this task with a power drill using a screwdriver bit and rust resistant screws.
- Install individual sections of the gutter using the mounting brackets and connect the sections together using gutter connectors by using a ladder.
- Use a hacksaw to cut the gutter sections for proper fit.
- Run a bead of silicon caulk between the gutter sections in order to prevent water from leaking through the seams.
- Install an elbow at the lower end of the drop outlet then measure, cut and install the downspout to the lower edge of the drop outlet.
- Use a mounting bracket to securely attach the downspout to the side of your house.