Before hiring a team to install your gutter, you should research this issue in more detail. Perhaps in your case you can apply certain DIY gutters and significantly reduce the installation cost. Self-installation may not always be more profitable; professional can do the job more accurately and reliably. But you can make a drain yourself and we will tell you how to do it in 5 steps.
5 Steps for Gutter Installation
You can find detailed instructions on how to perform this procedure on your own which will have a more affordable cost. Make sure you have all the necessary materials and tools. Before starting installation, check the cladding for rot. Repair or clean such places.
- The work begins with drawing a line. The mark should be at the highest place of the gutter on the facing. This is approximately 1 ¼ inches below the metal cast edge. The second mark will be on the other end of the facing; this is at ½ inch for every 10 feet of run. Take some chalk and connect these marks.
- We continue with the installation of the gutter; we need to secure the front panel brackets. Through the trim, you need to drill ⅛-inch holes and fix the brackets using special stainless steel tie-down screws. To make this experience easier, experts advise rubbing the screws with soap. This will make it easier to screw them through the cladding.
- The gutter should be cut to length. Take a miter saw that has a carbide blade. If your gutter will continue around a corner, excise the end at a 45 degree angle. Use self-tapping screws to connect the 2 sections of the gutter. Experts advise installing screws and screws on the sides of the gutter. Many people attach them from the bottom.
- At this point you will need to attach the end caps, this is best done with aluminum rivets. If there is no turning around the corner, then plugs can be attached to each end. The temporary screw can be removed here; replace it with a clench. Use a quality silicone sealant to make pipes seamless to ensure rain water tightness.
- Cut holes for the drainpipe. To do this correctly, flip the gutter from top to bottom and place the outlet on top. Insert a hole saw into the drill or use a hammer or cold chisel.
Insert gutter into the brackets that were already screwed to the face. Slowly rotate the gutter so that part of it fits into the hooks. Use the machine screw to securely secure the gutter with brackets. To prevent this design from contrasting with the finish of the home, you can use spray paint.
Useful Tips
Self-installation of a drainage system is always associated with a certain danger but at an accessible cost. Be careful because the work is carried out at a fairly high distance from the ground. There are several useful tips that will help you do this work accurately, reliably and cheaper:
- Not all corners of gutters need fastening; there are materials that have special couplings.
- When you install the brackets, do it at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. It is better to install fasteners near corners, funnels or plugs.
- Take accurate measurements when starting installation. It is important that storm water drains away as efficiently as possible, but that snow passes by the drainage system and does not damage it.
- Carrying out calculations before installation allows you to determine in advance the required amount of material and purchase it in specialized stores for subsequent assembly according to the principle of a designer.
- To create a reliable system reducing the cost, it is important to select the material of manufacture accordingly, since this determines the methods and types of installation of system components. The main material options are metal or plastic (optimal cost).
- Find a construction service that can help you not only with installation but also with maintenance of the finished structure.
Plastic kits are very popular among construction organizations and home craftsmen due to their variety. These are lightness, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, resistance to negative environmental influences, and ease of installation.