How to Plan Materials for Rain Gutters

Planning a rain gutter requires little more than a measuring tape and some imagination.

Gutters protect your home from rain water. You can save money by adding a gutter to your home yourself. But the first thing to do is to plan well.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Measure the edges along the roof that will require gutters. Gutters are sold in sections, so calculate as many full-length sections as possible, and avoid using shorter sections unless you need to. You will be able to calculate this based on the length of area on your roof that requires gutters, and the section availability at your local hardware store.

2. Measure the height between the edge of your roof and the ground in all locations where you will have a downspout.

3. Measure the distance that the edge of the roof extends beyond the house.

4. Count the total number of downspouts. Plan for having two 45-degree elbows and one 90-degree elbow per downspout. Because of these angles, you will need 20 percent more downspouts than the distance you measured between the roof and the ground.

5. Plan for two end pieces per guttered roof section. These are not needed for the sections of gutter that are not on the roof.

References

• "Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot"; Home Depot; 2003