How Do I Install Gutters?

Gutters are a more important component of the home than many people might think. They are responsible for directing excessive amounts of water to a place where it will do no damage to your property. Gutters protect your landscaping and play a role in reducing the likelihood of basement flooding as well as mold and fungus growth. In certain areas of the country, gutters can even benefit the foundation of your home.

DIY Gutter Installation
Gutter installation is generally considered to be a job for the professionals. Many a do-it-yourselfer has tackled this job, and the degrees of success, of course, vary by his or her prior experience with such work.

Hardware and home improvement stores sell do-it-yourself metal and vinyl gutters which are fitted and glued together with pre-fabricated gutter sections and a variety of corner connectors, end caps, downspouts, joint sleeves, and other components. These gutter "kits" are fairly user friendly, but, unfortunately, prefabricated joint sleeves, corners, and connectors tend to leak more than professionally installed systems. Also, DIY gutter installations are generally not as good looking as professionally installed ones.

Before you decide on tackling this particular job, be sure you do your homework. Check out the prices and appearance of all the DIY gutters available, then contact a few professional gutter installation companies to compare the types and prices of gutters they offer against your time and effort.

Professional Gutter Installation
Unlike DIY gutter installation, professionally installed gutters are custom-fitted to have fewer joints, and may be sealed with rivets and/or soldered. Additionally, a pro will be able to give you several options for the gutters you put on your home, and give you good advice about the drawbacks and benefits of each in your situation.

When professionals install gutters, they consider many factors including: the kind of roofing material on your home, the best style of gutters and downspouts to both perform and match the home's appearance, the best gutter material to suit the homeowner's criteria for price and maintenance, the most efficient way to attach the gutters to the home without harming the roof system, and the best location for downspouts to ensure proper drainage off the roof and away from the foundation.

What Type of Gutter Installation Is Right for You?
Vinyl gutter systems are often favored because they are lightweight and can be easily snapped or glued together. However, vinyl gutters are not recommended for hot, sunny climates where they tend to become brittle, crack, and often fail quickly. Metal gutter installation is also popular, but these systems tend to have more issues with clogging, leaking, and added weight placed on your roofing system.

Specialty gutters are also available, though they tend to be pricey. If you have the funds, though, you might enjoy the unique look of copper (or for something truly different, even tile, stone, or wood) gutters on your home. Custom-made, continuous seamless gutters are also available. They are less costly than a material like copper and come in a wide range of colors. They might be more expensive than less flashy models, but if you consider how nice they look on a home along with all of the time and materials you'll save in paint and repairs for many years in the future, you can understand their increasing popularity with homeowners. Remember, though, whichever you choose, good project planning is a must if you want to be pleased with your efforts at the completion of the project.

Rate This Article

OVERALL RATING

YOUR RATING

Saving Rating...

Log-in to save your ratings!

Recommend This Article

Digg
Reddit
Del.icio.us

ServiceMagic Articles To-Go