Rain Gutter Installation

Even in places that don't get much rain, rain gutters are necessary. Without rain gutters, water can collect by the house's foundation. All it takes is 1 or 2 good storms a year to possibly cause some damage.

Rain gutters allow you to control where that water goes. You can put a drainage system at the lower side of the property and have your rain gutters empty there.

Vinyl or Metal

There are 2 choices in rain gutters: vinyl or metal. (They used to be made out of wood but now these are only available for restoration work). Vinyl gutters can be bought at home improvement stores. Vinyl is sturdy and never rusts.

Metal gutters are usually made and installed by professionals. Aluminum and steel are most common, though you can use copper, too; aluminum won't rust, but steel is sturdier. Copper is beautiful and has a natural patina, but is very expensive—so expensive that it's sometimes a target for thieves.

Gutters come in seamless or sectional pieces. Sectional gutters can be found in stores and self-installed. Seamless gutters are made by a special machine that the installer brings to your home, and never leak because there are no seams.

There are 2 widths to choose from: 4 inch widths for roof areas of up to 750 square feet and 5 inch for larger roof areas.

Installing Rain Gutters

It's pretty straightforward to install rain gutters. Ideally, they should slope ½ inch for every 10 feet toward a downspout. If the gutters will be longer than 40 feet, they should be pitched from the middle to downspouts on either end. Or you can put the downspout in the middle of the run. Figure out what works best for your house.

First, get a friend to help you. Then:

Snap a guideline along the roof using chalk. Remember, the drip line should extend 1 or 2 inches beyond the fascia.

Install the corners with rust-proof screws. Snap a guideline, taking into consideration the pitch needed.

Install drop outlets at predetermined points.

Install brackets at 30 to 36 inches apart (24 to 30 inches apart in snowy areas).

Install the 10 foot gutter sections, snapping them onto the brackets.

Measure the last gutter section, then cut to fit.

Attach end caps.

Install the elbow on the drop outlet.

Attach outlet to the wall.

Attach the diverter—a 45 degree elbow that angles the water away from the house.