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If there is ever a task that no one actually wants to do when it comes to being a homeowner, it’s installing rain gutters on your house. It’s time-consuming, meticulous, and disastrous if done wrong. We’ll even let you in on a little secret: the technicians who usually install them even find it tedious. To help with this struggle, we have compiled a list for you of the top rain gutter installation tips from professionals. Browse through and see what they recommend!
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Making sure that a professional comes out to assess your home is the most important step. A professional will be able to look at the entirety of your home, roof, and foundation, and tell you their opinion of what type of rain gutter will be the best choice for your house. They take into account the condition and style of the house, the area the house is in, and so forth. From here, they can recommend the type of material, style, and placement of gutters that will work best.
An assessment is just that, a review and then a suggestion on what to do. You have control of the final decisions of what your gutters will look like, consist of, etc. If you are letting the professionals handle installation, tell them what does or doesn’t work for you. If you are handling installations yourself, then you have free reign. Just do your research to make sure that that freedom of choice doesn’t compromise quality and efficiency.
While all rain gutters perform basically the same function, different materials have different qualities. Stainless steel gutters, for instance, are the most durable (resistant to rust, dents, etc.) …and the most expensive because of that. Aluminum will be lightweight but more prone to weather damage. Galvanized steel is more durable than aluminum but is prone to rust. Plastic or PVC are not recommended as they tend to warp over time and develop mold.
When it comes to the hangers for the gutters, you have a few options. Spike and ferrules are the least expensive, but it’s also one of the least efficient. It tends to split the wooden fascia if that’s what your roof has, or it will expand and contract in a temperate climate until the spikes are useless. Brackets and straps are the main choices for half-round gutters, as those can’t be attached directly to the roof fascia. These are supportive for heavy rain, as they wrap around the gutter, but they do tend to dislodge if you clean your gutters too forcefully. Lastly, there is the option of hidden hangers, which are the most visually appealing as they attach to the roof from inside the gutter.
Part of why you need to know what materials are out there is so you or your professional can make an informed decision based on the climate of your home. The general climate and weather patterns will make a huge difference on the best type of material for the gutters and hangers.
Having gutters is important, but having certain add-ons are even better. This goes for both look and function! Things like drain covers will help to protect your gutters from all sorts of debris, which will mean that you have to clean them out only once or twice a year rather than every few months. Rain chains are an accessory that functions in place of a downspout. These chain gutter options are decorative features that are meant to beautify as well as help keep water away from your foundations (they also make a very pretty sound as the water flows down them).
Now that you’ve got the design down, it’s time to get the rain gutters actually put together and in place. If this is something you’re attempting on your own, then here are some tips to follow.
After checking out all of these tips, we hope you’ve learned at least two things: the first is that hiring a professional to take care of the installation of your rain gutters is the smartest course of action. Second is that you need to be prepared to take some time and effort to make sure this job gets done properly the first time around. Take our suggestions to heart, and we wish you luck!