How to Nail Up House Gutters
Gutters are an essential part of almost every home. Gutters redirect precipitation that would normally fall from the roof of the home. This redirection protects homeowners and visitors from an unusual amount of water falling from the roof. Installing a gutter can be difficult because you are working with bulky materials while also balancing on a ladder. Learning how to nail up house gutters will help you get started with this weekend project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Chalk line
- Tin snips
- Gutters
- Gutter end caps
- 4-inch diameter hole saw
- Galvanized nails
- Hammer
- Screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Measure 1 1/4 inches down from the metal drip-edge flashing of the roof. Mark the measurement on the face of the fascia with a pencil. Move to the opposite end of the fascia where the downspout will be located. Mark this end of the fascia so that the slope of the gutter is approximately 1/2 inch per 10 feet of gutter. Snap a chalk line between the two marked gutter lines.
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2
Find and mark the rafter tails behind the fascia. The rafters should be spaced approximately 16 inches on center. In many cases, you should be able to locate the nail heads that attach the fascia to the rafters. Mark a line for every rafter tail on the marked chalk line.
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3
Cut the gutter to size with tin snips. Fit end caps on the ends of the gutter per manufacturer directions. Cut the downspout holes in the gutter with a 4-inch diameter hole saw.
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4
Set the gutter into place. Recruit a partner to help you hold the gutter while you nail it to the fascia with galvanized nails and a hammer. Put the nails through the rafter tails where possible.
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5
Install gutter hangers every 2 feet on the gutter. Do this by hooking the hanger under the front lip of the gutter and then fixing it to the fascia with nails or screws and a screwdriver.
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6
Install the downspout per manufacturer directions.
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References
- Photo Credit cleaning gutters image by palms from Fotolia.com
