When it comes to rain gutter installation, you may have a feeling of dread come over you. That’s because it’s quite an important job. Not only is it difficult to do as a beginner but you may feel like you could do something wrong.
But you’ll be surprised to hear that installing gutters isn’t all that difficult. It’s actually fairly difficult to mess it up. As long as they are safely installed, which is easy, then you are good to go! Now about getting that done.
What Is Rain Gutter Installation?
Rain gutter installation is the process of installing gutters on your house. This can be done by you, a family member, or a professional. The process doesn’t take very long but needs to be done for a variety of reasons.
If water is puddling near your doors or walking space, then you need to install gutters. If you are having problems with rain weighing down on your roof, it’s also a good idea to install gutters for your home.
How To Install Gutters
Learning how to hang gutters is surprisingly easy. The only thing you really need to worry about is being careful on the ladder, which will be necessary. Having a friend on hand to hold the ladder is a great idea.
These instructions are very simple and not detailed. For a full detailed guide on how to install your particular gutters, contact the manufacturer or download a manual from the manufacturer’s website.
Step 1: Measure
Measure the length of the roof that you’re installing gutters on. They should run the entire length of the house and end with a downspout, which we will talk more about later. Just measure the length a few times.
Add a few inches to the length to make sure you have plenty of gutter for your space. Or else, you’ll be left with uneven gutters and undrained rainwater. You can always cut off more pipe later, but you can’t add any back.
Step 2: Mark The Gutter
Despite how they look, gutters are tilting slightly downwards towards the downspout. Otherwise, the water would just settle in the gutter and not flow down and pour out. So start at the top below the eaves and mark there.
From there, you need to use a 1⁄2 inch downward slope. Mark this with a chalk line to determine where the gutter will be mounted. You will mark a point 1/2 inch lower every ten feet, making sure not to miss a point.
Step 3: Attach the Downspout
Attaching the downspout is a little tricky. Hopefully, you can get a pre-cut downspout with the outlet hole already cut out. Then, you simply need to glue the downspout down and screw it into the brackets.
A downspout is necessary to redirect the water and control where it will be released. So make sure you plan this out beforehand. Don’t simply attach it in one spot without thinking about where the water will go.
Step 4: Attach The Gutter
From here you can connect the end cap to the gutter using silicone sealant and screws. Then cut the gutters to size and attach the gutter’s brackets to the rafter tails. From here, you can mount the gutters onto the brackets.
Most gutters come with hardware and installation as to how to mount them properly. So follow these instructions to finish mounting your gutters. It sounds complicated but following manufacturer instructions can help.
Gutter Installation Near Me
If you are at the end of your rope and are looking for help, then consider hiring a professional that knows how to install gutters. Finding one near you isn’t as difficult as it may seem. If you’re lucky, you can get an appointment ASAP.
A quick Google can help you find what you are looking for. Just make sure to include your zip code for accurate results. If you find more than one the best thing to do is compare prices as the installation is quite simple.
Gutter installation costs between $500 and $1,500 with $1000 being average. Vinyl gutters cost around $4 a foot, aluminum costs about $8 a foot, steel around $15 per foot, and copper $30 or so per linear foot.
Gutter Replacement
Replacing gutters isn’t as easy as installing new ones simply because you have to do twice the amount of work. But all it takes is three simple steps. If you’re lucky, you can even use the old brackets for the new gutters.
But if not, then you will have to follow the “installing new gutters” guide completely. So it really will be twice the amount of work. But it will definitely be worth it in the long run when your gutters are working properly again.
Clean Old Gutters
Cleaning the old gutters isn’t fun but it is important to clean them unless you want a huge mess on your hands when you take them down. This is why some people hire a professional to take their old gutters down.
Remove The Gutters
Remove the old gutters by unscrewing the gutter from the brackets and taking it down. If it is old, the glue may be difficult to remove. You can scrape it off underneath or use a dissolvent to remove it.
Install New Gutters
Now all that’s left is to install the new gutters. Follow the instructions that came with the gutters or a tutorial like the one mentioned above. This is the most difficult part made easier of the old brackets are still intact.
What Is A Gutter Downspout?
The gutter downspout is the pipe that leads the water that the gutter catches to the ground. It is a vertical pipe that runs alongside the house. This is the most noticeable piece of the gutter and is often painted to blend in with the siding.
One problem people run into if they have multiple-story homes is not having enough pipe for their downspout. But you can get a gutter downspout extension to take care of that for a reasonable price.
Another thing that proves useful is a gutter guard. A gutter guard is a film that keeps leaves and other materials out of the gutters, removing the need to clean them out so often. This can take that horrid job off the to-do list.
How To Clean The Gutters
This is a lot of people’s least favorite job and with good reason. Cleaning the gutters isn’t fun at all. There are many gutter cleaning tools to use for your gutters, but most people end up using what they have on hand.
The most common tool is either a small shovel or gloved hands. Make sure the gloves that you wear are made for this sort of thing. They need to be thick, waterproof, and they need to cover your wrists.
Step 1: Set Your Ladder
Place your ladder safely below the edge of the roof where the gutter starts. Make sure the ladder is stable and the landscape isn’t shifting. If the ground is muddy then wait until it dries before cleaning the gutters.
You can also build a base with plywood, but this needs to be done with a large piece of plywood. Again, make sure that if you have a friend available, get them. It’s good to have someone there to keep an eye on you.
Step 2: Don Your Gear And Get To Work
Put on long sleeves and gloves to protect you from bacteria. Then, using a small scoop, preferably a gutter scoop, start scooping the gunk out of the gutter. You can drop it in a bucket or a tarp underneath you.
You can use almost any type of shovel or scoop for this. Some people even use their gloves. But using a scoop is highly recommended. They aren’t very expensive and can be reused every time you clean your gutters.
Step 3: Flush It Out
Once you’ve cleaned out the debris, you can use a garden hose to flush out the gutters. Spray along the pipe with the spraying nozzle until you get to the downspout. Then spray the downspout out thoroughly.
After that, you should be done. And it is a good time to add a screen or gutter shield at this point as it will prevent you from ever having to clean your gutters again. That’s always a good thing and worth every penny.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed With Your Gutters
No matter what it is, whether you are having trouble installing gutters or need to clean them out far too often, there are solutions for you. The important part is to not get overwhelmed by the stress of it all.
If it is too stressful to keep the gutters clean, then get some help. If you don’t know where to start when replacing your gutters, then get some help. You’d be surprised to learn how valuable help is, even if you pay for it.
Because nothing is worth losing your head over. So take a deep breath and find the best route for you and your family. You will soon enough agree on what you should do.
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