How to Install Rain Gutters

Gutters serve an important function of directing rainwater away from the house to protect your siding, foundation and landscaping. Here’s how to go about installing them:

1. One of the first and most critical parts of installing gutters is creating fall, or slope that will ensure that water always moves toward the downspouts. For ideal drainage you want about one inch of fall for every 20 feet of travel. If the facia board is level, as it should be, measure down from the edge to a starting point, then move down the facia 20 feet and make a mark an inch lower. Connect the marks with a chalk line to create a guide for the top of the gutter.
2. These do-it-yourself gutters come in 10-foot sections which are seamed together with a special bracket and sealant. One half of the seam can be on the ground before you hang each piece. The mounting brackets can also be snapped in on the ground.
3. Once the gutter section is aligned with the chalk line, drive the long screws attached to each bracket into the facia board of the house to hold it securely in place.
4. Then the next piece slips into the seaming bracket and the process repeats until you reach the end of the area to be covered.
5. Crimp the end cap in place using the same gutter sealant used on the seams.
6. At the downspout locations, trace the outline of the flange that will connect the gutter and downspout, then punch through it with a sharp chisel. Finish off the curves with sheet metal shears.
7. Next the flange goes in from the inside of the gutter with more seam sealer to waterproof the joint.
8. From there connect the necessary downspout pieces to turn back to the wall and down to the ground. Each of these pieces has a male and female end, so they slide together before a sheet metal screw secures them.

Watch the video for details.