Important Things to Think about When Installing New Gutters
Installing new gutters comes with a plethora of decisions that many homeowners do not even think of. Of course there are the traditional decisions such as seamless or traditional gutters as well as the type of material for your gutters. But there are many other factors that go into installing gutters that not only look good but are also functional for your home.
Determine the Proper Slope for your Home
A gutter is only as good as its installation. There is more thought into installing gutters than slapping them up and hoping that they keep the water away from your home. Gutters that are sloped incorrectly run the risk of allowing rainwater to sit in the gutter. Measurements will be necessary to determine the type of slope that your gutters require to give your downspout its best chance at actually getting the water away from your home. As a general rule of thumb, the minimal amount of slope is 1/4” for every 10 feet of gutter until you reach the downspout. But it is important to remember that adjustments will need to be made for larger roofs.
How to use the Brackets
The brackets that you use during gutter installation play a very important role in your gutters success. The brackets should start around 6 inches from the end of each gutter and should then continue every 18 to 24 inches to properly secure your gutters.
How to Join the Sections
Gutters come in 10 foot sections, which means that you will have several gutters to piece together when you begin installation. In order to prevent your gutters from leaking at the seams, it is important to know how to properly join the sections together. Typically all you need is a caulk to join them together. When you properly caulk the two gutter sections together, you will avoid leakage issues in the future. Each section that is caulked should be checked periodically throughout the year to ensure that it is not wearing away and beginning to leak.
Gutter Guards – Are they Necessary?
Gutter guards are the screens that fit right over your gutters to prevent leaves, dirt and debris from cluttering up your gutters and causing blockages. While gutter guards do not eliminate the need to clean your gutters several times a year, they certainly make your job easier and might even allow you to clean your gutters less often. Gutter guards also allow you the freedom from gutters that constantly get clogged, putting your gutters at risk for premature replacement.
