How to Replace the Gutters on Your Home

The rain gutters on your home can often be damaged by overuse or under maintenance. Rough weather, ice and debris can all cause significant damage to your gutters over time. Usually they can be maintained by regular cleanings and repairs as needed. However, sometimes replacing the gutters on your home may be a necessary task. Replacing the gutters of your home doesn't have to be a costly job done by a professional. In fact, you can replace the gutters of your home in one afternoon with a minimal expense.

To begin the job of replacing the gutters on your home you'll need a few necessary materials and tools. a. Sturdy leather gloves and goggles for protection.
b. Gutter end caps
c. A ladder, a hammer and a pry bar
d. Hacksaw
e. Silicone caulk
f. A pencil and a square used by carpenters
g. A garden trowel and a circular saw
h. Power drill and bits
i. Several blocks of sturdy wood
j. 3 inch galvanized deck screws
k. 7 inch gutter screws and spikes
l. Gutter clips, seam sealer and elbow joints
m. flexible spout

If you have any trouble finding the materials listed or just have no idea what they are, take this list to your local Home Depot or Lowes store and they will be glad to help you find everything you need. Before you begin the job of replacing your gutters you'll need to clean out all of the debris from the gutters using your garden trowel. Use the pry bar and hammer to remove any old spikes that connects the gutter to the house. Putting blocks of wood inside the gutters so that they aren't damaged while removing the spikes. Remove the fascia boards that are behind the gutters also. Do this using the hammer and pry bar, making sure to keep the old boards to use as a template for the new fascia boards. Again, using the old fascia boards as templates, cut new boards using the circular saw. Make a 45 degree angle cut at the ends of the boards to join them lengthwise. Measure the length of the gutter and mark where you need to cut. Make all the cuts with a hacksaw. Then using gutter clips, connect the end caps to the downspouts.

Adding silicone caulk along the elbow joints and fastening them together. Set the joints aside and allow to thoroughly dry before proceeding. Using the galvanized deck screws, fasten the fascia boards that you made in step 3 to the side of the house. Space them about every 12 inches. Connect one of the bigger gutter sections so that there is a slight incline going towards the downspout. Using gutter clips and screws fasten a section of the gutter to the new fascia boards. Bring the adjoined gutter sections up to the section you are replacing. Secure all seams and use clips to fasten. Add gutter seam sealer along all joints on inside of gutter. Securely fasten each section of the gutter using 7 inch spikes. Make ¼ inch holes all the way through the gutter using the drill. Now you can out the gutter spikes through the new holes, sheaths and fascia boards. Securely fasten each one. Connect the downspout using the elbow joints. They should fit right into the downspout and be sealed securely with gutter sealant, this prevents separation. Use brackets to fasten the downspout to the wall.

Replacing the gutters on your home is a really simple job that will not put a strain on your pocketbook. However, if you choose to have a professional do the job for you, this could cost you as much as $500.00. For more information on replacing the gutters on your home visit www.ehow.com.