Essential Tips For Installing A New Rain Gutter

A rain gutter performs a very important purpose on your roof; it keeps rain and melted snow away from your home's structure. This prevents water damage and the resulting mold. If you need a new rain gutter, it must be installed correctly, otherwise it might not perform its job properly. Here are some easy tips for installing the new rain gutter.

What You Need

Before you start any home project, make sure you have the right tools and supplies. If you are accustomed to DIY projects, you probably have most of these in your garage. In order to install a new rain gutter, you will need a:

  • Ladder
  • Tape measure
  • Nails or screws
  • Chalk line
  • Hammer
  • Level
  • Cordless drill
  • Rivets
  • Drill bit
  • Caulk and caulk-edging tool
  • Tin snips

Remove the Downspout

Before you can install your new gutter, you need to disconnect and remove the downspout from the gutter. You will first need to figure out how the downspout is currently connected. It may either be riveted, screwed or press-fit. Use your cordless drill to loosen the screws if it looks like it is screwed into the gutter. If it is press-fit to the gutter, you will need to pull the pieces apart by hand. Remove any rivets with your electric drill and a high-speed drill bit. Once the downspout has been loosened, gently pull it away from the gutter.

Remove the Gutter

After the downspout has been removed, you can remove the gutter. It will be removed in much the same way as the gutter, depending on how it was attached. Gutters are often attached with screws, so you will just need your electric drill to remove those. Other gutters are attached using clamps, which are removed carefully by hand.

Prepare the Fascia Board

The fascia board is the piece of board along the edge of your roof that was directly behind the gutter and downspout. Once the gutter and downspout are removed, you will be able to see if it needs any repairs, such as filling in holes or repairing cracks. Make these repairs now, and repaint with exterior paint if needed. After the paint has dried, make a chalk line on the fascia board, sloping the line for the drain of the gutter.

Assemble the Gutters

Before you go to install the new rain gutters, they should first be assembled on the ground. This makes it easier to simply move them to position once they are assembled. Look at the instructions that came with your gutter to know exactly how to do this. It should come with a variety of elements, including the gutter pieces, drain outlets, and end caps. If you need to cut the gutters to fit your roof, you can use your tin snips. Use your caulk on any seams or rivet joints you have on the assembled gutters. Seams should be overlapped slightly so that water does not drain out of the gaps. Aluminum pop rivets work well for connecting two pieces together.

Install the Gutter

Take your gutter clamps and secure them to the fascia board by using your cordless drill, or a hammer and nails. These clamps are going to hold the gutter in position. Look at the manufacturer's instructions for spacing between the clamps. Once they are on, it is time to add your gutters to the clamps. Secure them inside the clamps, being careful not to put too much stress on the joints or seams. Use the gutter clips to finish the installation process.

Talk to roofing contractors should you need help along the way.


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