Omar Khalid
Gutters are an essential fixture for most homes, as they protect the foundation and siding of a building from rainwater. Without them, water would erode the soil, splash dirt onto the walls, and leak into the basement. Gutters can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminium, copper, and vinyl. Vinyl gutters are a popular choice due to their durability, low cost, and ease of installation. This guide will focus on installing plastic rain gutters, which can be done as a DIY project with the right tools and precautions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To divert and carry rainwater away from the foundation of your house, preventing soil erosion, damage to siding, and basement leaks. |
| Materials | Plastic gutters, downspout elbows, pop rivets or screws, concrete pavers, rain barrel, diverter, gutter guards or jackets, sealant, PVC pipe, connectors, corners, end caps, gutter hanger, drainpipe, fascia brackets, machine screws, electric drill, flanged nut, deck screws, slip joint, measuring tape, caulking or gutter sealant, tape measure |
| Installation Process | 1. Screw downspout elbow to the outlet tube protruding from the gutter. 2. Hold another elbow against the house and cut downspout to fit between the two elbows. 3. Secure the parts with pop rivets or screws. 4. Set concrete pavers and a rain barrel on the ground below the downspout outlet. 5. Install a diverter in the downspout and connect a short length of downspout to the underside. 6. Connect the diverter's flexible hose to the rain barrel. 7. Attach the downspout to the gutters via the downspout outlet, ensuring the tapered end faces the correct direction for drainage. 8. Seal the connection seams with sealant. 9. Join a PVC pipe to divert rainwater further away from the home if desired. 10. Install gutter hangers along the house, spacing them at least every 2 feet. 11. Fit the gutter sections into the hangers, sliding them into the appropriate downspouts and corners (outlets). 12. Hang gutter sections, using hangers to support each section and connecting them with connectors. 13. Add end caps to areas without outlets to direct water toward downspouts. 14. Adjust gutter size if needed and cut using a lopper or table saw. 15. Attach drain pipes to the house, securing the downspout outlet to the gutter and connecting downspout elbows. 16. Mount the gutters to the fascia brackets, laying the gutter into the brackets and rotating it upward until it fastens securely. 17. Secure the gutters to the fascia brackets using machine screws, drilling holes and inserting screws with flanged nuts. 18. For gutter runs over 10 feet, install a slip joint to connect gutter sections. 19. Connect drain pipes to their appropriate downspouts. 20. Ensure proper gutter drainage by sloping gutters towards a downspout (approximately 1/2 inch slope for every 10 feet). 21. Mark the slope on fascia boards with a chalk line before installing gutters. 22. For gutter runs longer than 40 feet, pitch the gutter down from the middle to downspouts at each end. For shorter runs, slope down to a single downspout in the middle. |
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What You'll Learn
Gutter hangers and how to install them
Gutter hangers, also known as gutter brackets, are an essential component of any gutter system. They are sturdy metal brackets that attach to your home's fascia board or roof rafters, holding the gutters securely in place. Gutter hangers ensure that your gutters remain stable and properly pitched, allowing rainwater to flow smoothly away from your home's foundation.
There are several types of gutter hangers available, each with its own benefits:
- Aluminum hangers are the most common type. Aluminum is lightweight, rust-resistant, and easy to install.
- Copper hangers offer elegance and unmatched longevity. They are more expensive but provide a timeless look that enhances your home's curb appeal.
- Fascia hangers are the standard choice for residential properties. They attach directly to the fascia board, providing a secure and stable connection between your gutters and your home.
- Combination hangers offer the ultimate in gutter stability by attaching to both the fascia board and roof rafters. They are ideal for areas with heavy rainfall or snowfall, preventing gutter sagging or pulling away.
- Hidden hangers are designed to be concealed inside your gutters, creating a sleek and uninterrupted appearance. They are often used with half-round gutters or when aesthetics are a priority.
When installing gutter hangers, it is important to ensure proper gutter drainage. Gutters should slope approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of gutter length. For longer gutter runs, you can pitch the gutter down from the middle or slope it from each end toward a central downspout. Mark the slope on the fascia boards with a chalk line before installing the hangers.
Once you have determined the slope and marked the fascia boards, you can secure the gutter hangers along your house. Fit the gutter sections into the hangers, using connectors to join each section. Don't forget to add end caps to areas without outlets to direct water toward the downspouts. With the gutters in place, attach drainpipes to carry water from the downspout outlets away from your house. Finally, install gutter guards or jackets to keep your gutters free from debris.
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How to attach the downspout to the gutters
To attach the downspout to the gutters, start by connecting the elbow to the gutter outlet. This first connection is crucial for setting up the rest of the installation. Make sure the elbow is securely attached by crimping the edges. Next, attach each section of the downspout from top to bottom. Use self-tapping screws to secure each section to the brackets, ensuring the downspout stays stable.
Check for plumb alignment by using a level to make sure the downspout is vertically straight. Proper alignment is important for effective water drainage and to prevent pooling issues. Adjust as needed to keep it straight. At the bottom, attach the final elbow to direct water away from the foundation. Position this elbow so that water flows away from your home, helping to protect your foundation and landscaping from water damage.
For stability and to prevent leaks, seal all joints with gutter sealant and secure every joint with screws. To improve the look and performance of your downspout, paint the downspout and screws to match the exterior of your home.
It is important to ensure that your gutters drain properly, so make certain they slope (1/4 to 1/2 inch for every 10 feet) toward a downspout. For gutter runs longer than 40 feet, it’s best to pitch the gutter down from the middle to a downspout at each end.
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Ensuring proper drainage
Firstly, determine the slope of your gutters. For effective drainage, gutters should slope towards the downspout. The recommended slope is approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of gutter length. Mark this slope on your fascia boards with a chalk line before installing the gutters. This will ensure that water flows smoothly towards the downspout and prevent pooling.
For gutter lengths exceeding 40 feet, it is advisable to pitch the gutter downwards from the middle towards downspouts at each end. Alternatively, you can slope the gutters from each end towards a single downspout placed in the middle. Assess the layout of your house and decide on the most suitable configuration.
When installing the gutters, use gutter hangers to support the weight of the water and hold the gutters in place. Space the hangers at least every 2 feet along the fascia. If you live in an area with high rainfall, consider placing them closer together for added support during heavy rainstorms.
Connect the gutter sections using connectors and plastic slip joints at the end of every 10-foot length. If one end of the gutter doesn't require a downspout, add an end cap to direct water towards the outlet. This will ensure water flows in the intended direction and prevent leaks.
Finally, attach the downspout to the gutter via the downspout outlet, ensuring the tapered end of the downspout faces the correct direction for drainage. Apply a heavy bead of sealant to the connection seams for added protection against leaks.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your plastic rain gutters drain properly, protecting your home from water damage, erosion, and leaks.
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Gutter guards and jackets
Gutter guards act as a barrier, allowing only water to enter your gutters while keeping out leaves, debris, and pests. They are particularly effective at preventing gutters from becoming clogged with decomposing leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris, ensuring rainwater can flow away from your home. Gutter guards are easy to install and are available in various materials, including stainless steel, aluminium, plastic mesh, and metal mesh. They can be cut to size and attached to your gutters using tape or self-tapping screws.
Gutter jackets, also known as gutter hangers, are installed along the length of your house to support the gutter sections. They are typically placed every 2 feet (0.6 m) for gutter sections and every 30 to 35 feet (9.14 to 10.67 m) for downspouts. Gutter jackets are crucial in ensuring your gutters are securely attached to your house and can bear the weight of water and debris.
When choosing gutter guards and jackets, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your home and local climate. For example, if you live in an area with heavy leaf fall, you may require a gutter guard with smaller mesh to catch smaller debris. Additionally, you should determine the slope of your gutters to ensure proper drainage. Gutters should slope approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 0.6 to 1.3 cm) for every 10 feet (3 m) towards a downspout.
By installing gutter guards and jackets, you can effectively protect your gutters and ensure proper drainage, keeping your home secure from water damage and other issues caused by clogged gutters.
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Measuring and choosing the right gutter
When choosing a gutter system for your home, there are several factors to consider to ensure proper drainage and protection from water damage. Firstly, determine the roof pitch or slope, which is the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run, expressed as a fraction (e.g. 4-in-12 or 6-in-12). Steeper roofs will require a higher pitch factor to account for increased water collection. To measure the pitch, hold one end of a 2-foot level against the roof and measure the gap between the roof and the midpoint of the level's underside. This measurement over a 12-inch run gives you the pitch.
The next step is to calculate the roof's drainage area. Measure the length and width of each roof surface that drains into a particular gutter and multiply these dimensions to get the square footage. For more complex roofs, calculate the areas of all surfaces draining into each gutter section and sum them up. This adjusted square footage will help determine the gutter size needed to handle the water volume.
The volume of rainwater that will fall on the roof is another critical factor. Find the maximum rainfall intensity for your area, measured in inches per hour during a five-minute period, from the US National Weather Service. This data, along with the roof pitch multiplier and the adjusted square footage, will help determine the size of the gutter needed to manage the water flow effectively.
Most residential gutters are typically between four to six inches in size. For smaller homes or areas with lower rainfall intensity, 5-inch half-round gutters are suitable and can handle up to 2,500 square feet of roof drainage. On the other hand, 6-inch K-style gutters are recommended for larger homes or areas with higher rainfall intensity, as they can accommodate up to 7,960 square feet of roof drainage.
Additionally, ensure you have sufficient downspouts or alternatives like rain chains to carry water away from the roof. The general rule is to have one downspout for every 25 to 35 linear feet of gutter, and never run more than 40 linear feet of gutter between downspouts. If you're in an area with high rainfall intensity, adding more downspouts can reduce the load on the gutters.
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Frequently asked questions
Rain gutters are important for preventing water damage to your home's foundation and siding by routing water away from your home. They also prevent soil erosion and basement leaks.
Gutter hangers hold your gutters in place and support the weight of the water. They should be installed at least every 2 feet along the fascia. If you live in an area with high rainfall, you may want to install them closer together for extra support.
First, install the gutter sections into the outlets, using hangers to support each section. Use a plastic slip joint at the end of every 10-foot length, connecting the gutter sections with connectors.
Gutters should slope approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of gutter. For gutter runs longer than 40 feet, pitch the gutter down from the middle to a downspout at each end.
You will need connectors, corners, end caps, and a gutter hanger for every 2 feet of the gutter. For longer gutter runs, you will also need drainpipes, elbows, and outlets for the downspouts. An electric drill and deck screws will also be useful.
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