If you are like most homeowners you don’t give much thought on gutters and downspouts, but they certainly play an important role in the upkeep of your home.
Leaking rain gutters can cause a wide array of problems, from just an inconvenience of getting wet from them dripping on your head, to major damage with water leaking into your basement or rotting the wood on your roof and siding.
So, if you’re looking to replace your guttering system, the big question is what type of gutters are the best? Let’s look at the various types you have to choose from.
Steel Gutters
If you are looking for strength a steel guttering system is your choice here. Steel holds up to the elements better than any other type of gutters. They will basically last forever. The one major drawback with steel is that it can rust over time unless you treat them.
Copper Gutters
The durability and visual appeal make copper gutters an excellent choice for your home. They are easy to maintain and hold up to rain water very well. The major drawback with copper is that it can discolor over the years. What starts out as shiny and gold can turn to dark brown or green over time due to oxidation. With that said, there are sealants you can apply to help prevent this from happening. The tradeoff is increased costs and the time involved.
Aluminum Gutters
The selling points with aluminum guttering is their light weight and affordability. They are the most economical rain gutter option. Aluminum is not as strong as steel or copper, but they still hold up well to the different weather elements. Their biggest drawback is the maintenance involved. They require more frequent attention than other types of rain gutters.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters provide you with a system that is lightweight and virtually maintenance free. They also give you a variety of colors to choose from that other gutters do not. The drawbacks to them are their lack of strength and the fact they are subject to the effects of hot or cold weather.
Out of all the exciting things to do around the house, cleaning out your rain gutters is probably the last thing you really want to do. Well, there is a product called the Gutter Cleaner Wand that is designed to help make this job a little easier. But the big question is does it work?
Gutter Cleaner Wand Specs
You can find the Gutter Cleaner Wand online or in some of your larger home improvement stores for around $21-$25.
The wand simply attaches to any garden hose and has a built-in on and off valve. The telescoping wand will go from 41″ all the way up to 68″ to reach your rain gutters and clean them out.
The wand is lightweight and easy to handle which is good since you have to hold it up all the time.
How does the Gutter Cleaner Wand operate?
The Gutter Wand is pretty simple in how it works. You hold it up and place it in your rain gutter channel and the pressure from the wand will clear out the leaves and debris from the eaves trough.
With this gutter cleaning tool you can also use it for cleaning off outside decks and sidewalks in addition to just cleaning rain gutters.
Does it work?
In my experience, I have had mixed results. Yes, it will work for cleaning out leaves, but if you have compacted leaves and other debris, it can be difficult to loosen them and move them out.
The main drawbacks with this gutter cleaning tool that many people have are in how wet you can get in using the Gutter Cleaning Wand because of standing below the roof while using it and the fact it will not work on higher roof gutters. Since it only extends to less than 6 feet it won’t reach the higher gutters on some homes.
All-in-all, I would say it is helpful. It does the job of cleaning rain gutters in most cases and it keeps you down off the ladder which can always be risky.
Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of any home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.
What size of rain gutter do you need?
Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7″ gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5″ or 6″ gutter will be fine.
What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?
Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.
Seamless or not?
Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the “seams” that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.
Installing rain gutters
Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don’t use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.
Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.
A question that many homeowners often ask is; do I really need to have rain gutters and downspouts on my home? It’s a good question and the answer may surprise you. Let’s take a closer look.
The answer is that it really depends on several different factors.
No, you do not need rain gutters if:
Your home is surrounded by a concrete sidewalk or patio, driveway, etc. The main reason for a gutter system is to take all the rainwater that falls on your roof and move it away from your home’s foundation, but if your home is surrounded by concrete then you don’t really need gutters. It would only be a personal decision. The area you live in gets little annual rainfall. It only makes sense that if you live in the desert southwest you really don’t have to be too concerned about rain gutters. The round all around your home slopes away from the foundation. Since the water can’t pool around your home it is not necessary to have rain gutters. Yes, you need rain gutters if:
You live in an area with rainfall that averages more than 15-20 inches a year. Rainwater sits around your foundation and pools up after a rain instead of running off. You don’t like rainwater coming off your roof and falling on your head. That may sound silly, but not many people like to walk outside their front door into a steady river pouring down off their roof. With gutters and downspouts you obviously eliminate this from happening.
With these tips in mind you now have a better idea of whether your home really needs to have rain gutters or not. Of course, you many want them on your home just for aesthetic value. It’s really a personal choice.
Many people who live in old homes do not have a rain gutter. Installing rain gutters can be either very difficult or very easy depending on the brand of rain gutter a person buys. It can also depend on whether the company provides installation or not. Usually a brand name company will provide installation of new or replacement gutters and/or downspouts at a price or for free. Some companies make the gutter easy to install, so minimal work is required. This article will explain how to install a new rain gutter in simple terms. It is best to read an instruction manual as well for clearer instructions of how to install a new rain gutter.
The first thing to do in installing a new rain gutter is to measure the slope length of the eaves. After measuring the slope and length, buying a gutter is the next step. You have to determine what material you want the gutter to be made out of. Aluminium is usually the most popular choice because of how inexpensive it is. After choosing the gutter, you then measure out and cut it to length to match the eaves of your house.
After cutting down a gutter to length, the next step is to attach the gutter parts to the eaves. This is typically done with hanging brackets that are placed into the eaves and are attached to the gutter to provide stability. Once the gutter itself is installed, the downspout needs to be placed.
The gutter usually does not have a special place marked for a downspout, so a person will have to cut out a square hole for the spout him or herself. After the hole is cut, the person must then measure and cut down to size the downspout. It is best to do a test fit of the downspout before the final assembly of it. Once it has been determined that the downspout can fit, it is fit into place and secured there with screws.
After the downspout is installed, the final step is to connect all the gutter segments and corners. It is also recommended to install leaf guards wherever trees are located to prevent clogging of your brand new rain gutter. Installing rain gutters is not too hard if you know what you are doing or if you have clear instructions. As said before, sometimes a company will provide free installation of a new gutter. It is much easier to have professionals install a new gutter than to do it yourself.
One of the many joys of being a homeowner is installing or maintaining your gutters and downspouts. Well, if you’re looking for some basic tips on how to install rain gutters this article should give you some good pointers.
What Is Your Slope Angle?
The first thing you want to do is find the slope on your eaves. Where does the water flow?
Once you know this aspect, you can take a line-level and stretch it across your eave and mark off the high point on one side and the low point on the other.
You want the slope of the guttering to be 1/4″ - 3/8″ for every 10 feet. Anything less and you run the risk of water not draining properly.
once you have the marks made, you can go back with a chalk line and snap off the reference line.
Cut The Gutters
Use a measuring tape to mark off the desired length of your gutter and mark it off. Be sure to mark it all the way around the outside of the gutter.
Next, cut it off to the right length. There are several ways to go about accomplishing this, but I recommend a good pair of tin snips. Using a saw can be done, but the end result will not be pretty. Wear gloves when working with aluminum gutters because of very sharp edges.
Attach The Guttering
Now it’s time to attach the gutter to your eaves. For this you will use hanging brackets that hold up the rain gutter and ***** into the fascia board on the roof.
When attaching the brackets it is recommended to space them out 24″ throughout the length of your gutter and 6″ from the ends.
Downspouts
The final piece on how to install rain gutters will be your downspout. You will need to install a sleeve section to the end of the gutter that will also attach to the downspout.
Take the sleeve and draw an outline around it in your gutter. Next, cut out the hole using a drill to cut out an opening and then a jigsaw to cut out the hole. Take a tube of silicone and seal all the edges around the opening to prevent water leaks.
Screw the pieces together with metal screws and cut the downspout to size. Put on the end caps and seal them with your silicone. You also want to do this in any seams as well.
You can check for leaks by using a water hose and ********* water on your roof.
This was only a brief overview on how to install a rain gutter, but it should give you the help you need to make this task a little more manageable. It’s really not as hard as it may look to install your own gutters and downspouts.
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One of the most popular types of rain gutters today is the seamless rain gutter. This type of gutter system has several key advantages over any other type. Here are some of the reasons you may want to take a closer look.
Having a leaking rain gutter is a real pain to say the least. In many cases it is a sign that your gutters are getting old and may need to be replaced. And while there are several options to choose from, a seamless gutter may be your best bet.
A seamless gutter has no “break” in the channel. This means you will not have to be concerned with water leaking through in the future. A regular gutter system is usually built in 10 foot sections which have seams.
Seamless rain gutters are also easy to install once cut. You simply secure it on one end and then gradually slope it down to the other end, securing it as you go.
As far as construction goes, seamless gutters are made from all types of materials including vinyl, copper, steel and aluminum. Another nice feature is that they are made into several different color patterns. This makes it easy to have them match your home’s color scheme.
The one drawback that you may find with this type of rain gutter will be the initial cost. Since the gutter will have to be cut to the lengths on your home, it has to be done by a gutter company. This will increase costs over a standard system.
The best thing to do in this case is to call around and get 2-3 different quotes if possible. The bids may surprise you. You can also search online and obtain some estimates as well as call by phone.
Although the expense of a seamless rain gutter is higher, the quality and longevity you receive is well worth it over time. Take a look at various gutter systems and you will find the one that best fits your needs, as well as your budget.
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One of the most overlooked areas on any home is the rain gutter system. We tend to neglect until something major comes along and forces us to deal with. Perhaps you’re at that point where it’s time to put up new gutters on your home. Here are some quick tips in how to choose a rain gutter system.
Rain Gutter Materials
You have a wide variety of choices when it comes to materials that guttering is made from. The most popular choice would be aluminum. Aluminum gutters hold up well to extreme weather conditions and keep their color for years.
Vinyl is an inexpensive option and is fairly easy for any weekend handyman to install.
Other types of rain gutters include copper, galvanized steel, stainless steel and even wood. Depending on your budget any of these options would make a great choice.
Rain Gutter Types
You have a choice between a seamless gutter system and the traditional sectional system. Keep in mind that a seamless gutter will need to be installed by professional guttering companies who have the equipment for this type of gutter.
The sectional guttering is easier to install and can be accomplished by any handyman.
What is the difference? The seamless rain gutter will last longer and doesn’t leak like its sectional counterpart. It is also much easier to maintain.
Options
You have a wide choice of guttering add-ons that can help extend the life of your new gutters, as well as reduce routine maintenance. Gutter covers and screens can work to keep debris from clogging your gutters and downspouts. Gutter guards work in the same manner. This keeps you off the ladder every spring and fall from having to clean them out.
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While installing a rain gutter may not seem all that important to many homeowners, it certainly is significant in keeping your home from experiencing water damage when it rains.
Gutters and downspouts provide protection in many different ways. They prevent wood rot, mold, leaky roofs, siding damage and water in your basement among other things.
A rain gutter collects water off your roof and down the closest downspout and away from your home. This will aid in preventing fascia boards from rotting out and water collecting around your homes foundation.
If you’re looking to install a rain gutter, it’s not that difficult of a home improvement project. If you’re a weekend handyman you can easily complete the project in a day. Stores such as Home Depot or Lowe’s all sell gutters and downspouts to fit any home.
Now, if climbing ladders or doing home improvement is not for you, that’s no problem. You’ll find numerous gutter and downspout contractors that will do it all for you at a very reasonable cost.
You can do a search online to find several companies. Look in your local yellow pages, or even talk with your home improvement store for recommendations.
Finally, after you have installed a rain gutter, be sure to clean them out at least once a year. If your rain gutters are full of leaves, water will just back up and overflow down your house. You can have your gutters cleaned out for as little as $50.
Having a good rain gutter and downspout system installed on your home will go a long way in preventing future water and foundation problems.
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