How To Install A Gutter By Yourself

2nd May 2024

Considering installing rain gutter installation but hesitant to hire a professional? Try gutter installation yourself with detailed guide. In this blog we’ll cover each perspective of DIY rain gutter installation. Let’s get started!

Are Gutters Necessary?

Yes, gutters are essential for most homes. They play an important role in directing rainwater and melting snow away from your home’s foundation, siding, and landscaping. Here are a few reasons why gutters are important:

Prevents Water Damage: Without gutters, water can pool around the foundation of your home, potentially leading to water damage and basement flooding. Gutters help to avoid this by channeling water away from the base of the house.
Protects Siding and Windows: Water cascading off the roof can carry dirt, debris, and other materials that may stain or damage your home's siding and windows. Gutters collect this water and divert it to a safer location.
Reduces Erosion: Water that falls directly from the roof can erode the soil around your home, making it more difficult for plants to thrive. Erosion can also lead to an unstable foundation over time. Rain gutters reduce erosion.
Preventing Ice Dams: In colder climates, rain gutters help to minimize the formation of ice dams by channeling water off the roof. Ice dams can cause water to back up and seep into your home, leading to costly repairs.
Preserves Doors and Garage Overheads: Water dripping directly from a roof can deteriorate exterior doors, especially wooden ones, and can damage the integrity of garage overheads and other structures. Rain gutters help preserve these overheads.

Tools And Material Required To Install A Gutter

To successfully install a gutter system on your own, you'll need a combination of specific tools and materials. Here’s a detailed list that covers both:

Types Of Tools Needed

Measurement Tools:

Ladder: To safely reach the roofline.
Measuring Tape: To determine the length of gutters required.
Chalk Line: Used for marking alignment lines on the fascia.
Level: To ensure gutters are installed with the correct slope.

Cutting Tools:

Tin Snips: For cutting gutter sections to size.
Hacksaw or Miter Saw: For precise cuts on gutters and downspouts.

Fastening Tools:

Power Drill: For creating holes and fastening screws.
Screwdriver Bits: For driving screws with the power drill.
Hammer: For adjustments and securing hardware.
Rivet Gun: For joining metal parts with rivets.

Sealing and Application Tools:

Sealant Gun and Silicone Sealant: For sealing joints to prevent leaks.

Safety Equipment:

Gloves: To protect hands from sharp edges.
Safety Glasses: To shield eyes during cutting and drilling.

Materials Needed:

Core Gutter Components:

Gutter Sections: The main channels that collect and guide water.
Downspouts: Pipes that carry water from the gutters to the ground.
Elbows: Angled sections for directing the flow of water in downspouts.
End Caps: Caps that close the ends of the gutter sections.

Mounting and Sealing Materials:

Rain Gutter Hangers or Brackets: Supports that attach the gutters to the fascia.
Rain Gutter Screws and Rivets: Used for securing gutter components.
Sealant: Used at all connection points to ensure watertight seals.

Additional Gutter Installation Aids:

Drop Outlet: Connects gutters to downspouts.
Gutter Guards (optional): Prevents debris from clogging the gutters.

How To Install A Rain Gutter. A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Establish Gutter Placement

Determine Heights: Begin by identifying the highest and lowest points of your gutter run. Mark the highest point on the fascia, ensuring it's 1 ¼ inches below the metal drip-edge flashing. At the opposite end or where a downspout is located, mark the lowest point, considering a slope of about ½ inch for every 10 feet.
Create a Reference Line: Snap a chalk line between the two marked points to serve as a visual guide for gutter placement. This line will ensure proper alignment and slope for efficient water drainage.
Inspect Fascia: Before proceeding, thoroughly inspect the fascia for signs of rot or damage. Repair any issues to ensure a stable foundation for the gutter installation.

Step 2: Attaching Mounting Hardware

Locate Support Points: Locate the rafter tails behind the fascia, typically spaced 16 inches apart. Mark these points on the chalk line, ensuring even distribution of mounting brackets.
Drill Pilot Holes: Use a ⅛-inch drill bit to bore pilot holes through the fascia and into the rafter tails at each marked point. This pre-drilling prevents splitting and ensures secure attachment.
Install Brackets: Secure the fascia brackets with ¼-inch stainless steel lag screws, penetrating at least 2 inches into the rafter tails. Optionally, apply soap on the screws to facilitate easier driving into the fascia.

Step 3: Cut Gutter Sections

Measure and Cut: Measure the required length of the gutter section and carefully cut it using appropriate tools such as hacksaw, aviation snips, or a power miter saw with a carbide-tipped blade. Ensure precise cuts for a proper fit.
Address The Corners: If your gutter layout includes corners, cut the gutter ends at a 45-degree angle to accommodate the corner turn smoothly.
Join Sections: If necessary, overlap and join two gutter sections by at least 8 inches. Secure them with self-tapping stainless steel screws or pop rivets to create a seamless connection.

Step 4: Secure End Caps

End Cap Placement: Attach spherical end caps to the square-cut ends of the gutter sections using aluminum pop rivets. Alternatively, secure one end cap to each end if the gutter doesn't turn a corner.
Installation Process: Temporarily hold the end cap in place with a single sheet-metal screw. Drill a 1/8-inch hole and install one pop rivet. Replace the temporary screw with another rivet for a permanent attachment.
Seal Joints: To ensure a watertight seal, apply high-quality siliconized caulk on the inside of the gutter along the rivets and seam of the end cap.

Step 5: Create Downspout Openings

Mark the Outlet: Position the downspout outlet on the low end of the gutter to trace its outline. Ensure proper alignment for efficient water flow.
Drill Starter Holes: Use a ¼-inch drill bit to create starter holes at the center of the traced outline. This will guide the cutting process and prevent splintering.
Cut the Hole: Utilize a 4-inch diameter hole saw attached to a drill to cut out the downspout hole. Alternatively, employ a hammer and cold chisel for manual cutting.

Step 6: Install Gutters

Mounting Process: Carefully place the gutter sections into the installed brackets along the fascia. Ensure a secure fit and proper alignment with the previously established chalk line.
Attach to Brackets: Rotate the gutter until its back edge slips into the hooks at the top of the brackets. Drill 3/16-inch holes through the front edge of the gutter and secure it to the brackets using appropriate screws and nuts.
Optional: Paint Matching: If desired, consider painting the aluminum gutters and brackets to match or contrast with the house trim for aesthetic appeal.

Step 7: Seam Finishing at Corners

Joint Covering: Use a 3-inch-wide strip of aluminum to cover the joint between two lengths of gutter at each corner. This strip miter ensures a neat and seamless appearance.
Secure the Strip: Wrap the aluminum strip tightly around the underside of the gutter and secure it with pop rivets or sheet-metal screws.
Waterproof: Enhance the joint's waterproofing by cutting a triangular section from the top of the strip miter, folding down the flaps, and sealing with siliconized caulk.

Step 8: Connect Downspouts

Attach Outlet: Secure the downspout outlet to the gutter using pop rivets or screws. Ensure a tight fit to prevent leaks.
Install Elbows: Connect a downspout elbow to the outlet tube protruding down from the gutter. Hold another elbow against the house and cut a piece of downspout to fit between the two elbows.
Fasten the Assembly: Secure the elbows and downspout with pop rivets or screws, ensuring a secure and watertight connection.

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