The gutters on a home collect
and steer away the rain as it runs off the roof to prevent it from
entering the basement or washing away the soil. If your gutters need
replaced, handling the job yourself saves you money. Homeowners are able
to install sectional gutters without any special tools for better rain
control.
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Preparation
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Before your new gutters can go up, you need to remove the old gutters. Inspect the fascia to ensure it is in good shape without any rotten areas. Replace any damaged fascia before continuing with the gutter installation. Your gutter needs to run downhill slightly toward the downspout so it drains easily. Marking the slope with a chalk line guides the installation of the actual gutters. According to This Old House, the gutters should slope 1/2 inch per 10 feet along the fascia. For a gutter run that is 30 feet long, this would mean the difference from one end to the other is 1 1/2 inches. You also need to attach the fascia brackets. The brackets should go through the rafter tails, which are typically 16 inches apart.
Measuring and Cutting
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Accurate measurements are essential to cutting the sections of gutter to fit exactly in the space. Use a hacksaw to cut the gutter sections. For runs that require two gutter sections, cut each piece long enough so they overlap by 8 inches. Attach the end caps to the gutters before installing them. You also need to cut a hole in the gutter run for the downspout using a 4-inch hole saw attached to your drill.
Installation
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To install the run, lay the prepared gutter section on the brackets. This usually requires at least two people so both ends are lined up and slide into place together. Slide it up along the back side so it clicks into the hooks along the back of the brackets. You then need to attach the gutter to the brackets using screws.
Finishing
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Once the gutters are up on the brackets, you are able to attach the downspout at the hole that you previously drilled. Measure the distance and cut the section of downspout to run down the side of the house. Pop rivets or screws are used to secure the downspout to the gutter. Downspout brackets help secure the section of downspout to the house for stability. This Old House recommends two brackets for a one-story house and three on a two-story house.
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