How to Install a Rain Gutter System
The purpose of rain gutters is to divert drainage from the roof away from windows, doors, siding and the foundation of a home. While not every home needs roof gutters, such as those with broad overhangs and good drainage around the property, most do. An excellent time to install a rain gutter system is when doing roofing to a house, but you can add rain gutters anytime. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Trough pieces
- Downspouts
- Hangers
- Joiners
- 45-degree downspout elbows
- Caulk
Instructions
-
-
1
Diagram the roof structure and plan for how many pieces you'll need and what types. Generally, the main sections called troughs are in segments of around 10 feet in length. If you have a longer section you'll need a piece called a joiner. You'll also need corner pieces and drop outlets. Downspout fittings depend on the number of drop outlets required. For ground drainage, plan for 45-degree elbows to equal three times the number of drop outlets, while for direct drainage to sewage, you'll need twice the number of drop outlets. You'll also need hangers for every 1 1/2 to 2 feet of gutter and downspout straps for every 8 feet or so.
-
2
Plan for a slope of at least 1/4 inch for every 10 feet. Mark this slope on the fascia with chalk.
-
-
3
Attach the fascia brackets. If necessary, cut the troughs to length. Attach end caps with a pop rivet and caulk the inside of the gutter in this area to make it watertight.
-
4
Cut downspout holes at the low end of the gutters using the downspout outlet as a guide.
-
5
Attach the trough sections with screws or hardware indicated by the manufacturer. Connect the elbow and corner pieces, using caulk for watertight fittings. Attach the downspouts to the gutter.
-
1
