How to Install Gutters

Gutters play an important role in protecting your house from rot and water damage. They divert the water away and prevent it from collecting on the roof, house and foundation. It is critical that you keep your gutters well maintained and clean them on a frequent basis. Sometimes gutters get damaged from the build up of debris or during severe weather. They may also start to malfunction from normal wear and tear. When this happens you will need to replace the gutters and install new ones. Here are some tips to help you install gutters.

The first thing you need to do is gather together the tools and supplies that you will need for installing new gutters. You will need a ladder, safety glasses, work gloves, garden trowel, pry bar, hammer, hacksaw, circular saw, silicone caulk, drill, wood block, gutter and deck screws, gutter spikes and end cap, gutter clips, elbow joints, flexible spout and seam sealer.

Climb up on the ladder and remove the debris and leaves from the gutters. Pry off the old gutter spikes that connect the gutter to the house using your hammer and pry bar. Place a wood block inside the gutter to prevent it from crushing. Next, use the hammer and pry bar to remove the fascia boards underneath the gutters.

Using your circular saw cut out fascia boards to replace the old boards. Use one of the fascia boards you removed as your template. At the end where the boards will join together, cut a forty five degree angle. Next measure and mark the gutters for cutting. Cut your new gutters to length using your hacksaw.

Put the gutter ends caps on the ends of the downspouts. Fasten them with gutter clips. Fasten the elbow joints with silicone caulk.

Attach the fascia boards using deck screws, spaced out about twelve inches, to the house. Then connect a section of the gutter at an incline to one of the downspouts. Use screws and gutters clips to attach the section of gutter to the fascia board. Fasten the adjacent sections of gutter together with gutter clips and use seam sealer to seal.

Next you will fasten all the gutter sections together with gutter spikes. Use your drill to drill quarter inch holes up to the gutter's lip and put the spikes through the holes down to the fascia board and fasten.

Finally fasten the elbow joints with the downspouts. Use brackets to attach the downspouts to the side of the house and use sealant to seal the elbow joints. Your new gutters are now installed.