Gutters are an important part of protecting the investment you have made in your home. For homeowners, gutters serve the important function of directing rainwater off shingles and away from the house. Install gutters to protect your siding, fascia board, foundation, and landscaping from water damage.

If you live in a climate that experiences heavy rainfall, you don’t want to neglect installing new gutters on your home. If your home does not have a complicated roofline or several stories, you may be able to install gutters yourself. If you plan to go the DIY route, the video above explains how to install gutters on your home.

This article will explore various types of rain gutters and outline the steps for a do-it-yourself gutter installation project, as demonstrated in the accompanying video.


Types of Rain Gutters

There are several different types of rain gutters available for your home. Seamless gutters are aesthetically pleasing and work well on homes with complicated rooflines. This type of gutter is expensive and requires professional gutter installation.

Other types of gutters include stainless steel, aluminum gutters, and vinyl gutters. Aluminum gutters are a good choice for their durability. All types of gutters can clog and require gutter cleaning on a semi-annual basis. Install gutter guards to minimize this home maintenance task.


Steps For Rain Gutter Installation

If you are considering gutters as your next home improvement project, I’ve described below the steps for installing sections of gutter, fastening your system, and making sure it’s watertight.

For ideal drainage, one of the first and most critical parts of installing gutters is creating fall, or slope that will make sure that water always moves toward the downspouts. You want about one inch of fall for every 20 ft of travel. If the facia board is level, as it should be, measure down from the edge to a starting point, which will be your highest point. Next, move down the facia 20 feet and make a mark an inch lower. Connect the marks with a chalk line to create a guide for the top of the gutter run.

The do-it-yourself gutters in the accompanying video come in 10-ft lengths of gutter, which are seamed together with a special bracket and sealant. One-half of the seam can be on the ground before you hang each piece. The mounting brackets can also be snapped in on the ground.

Once the gutter section is aligned with the chalk line, drive the long screws attached to each bracket into the fascia board of the house to hold the feet of gutter securely in place.

Image Source: Canva

Then the next piece slips into the seaming bracket, and the process repeats until you reach the end of the gutter area to be covered. Crimp the end cap in place using the same gutter sealant used on the seams.

At the downspout locations, trace the outline of the flange that will connect the gutter and downspout, then punch through it with a sharp chisel. Finish off the curves with sheet metal shears or tin snips.

Finally, the flange goes in from the inside of the gutter with more seam sealer to waterproof the joint. From there, connect the necessary downspout pieces to turn back to the wall and down to the ground. Each of these pieces has a male and female end, so they slide together before a sheet metal screw secures them. Your project is now complete.


Do I Need Professional Installation?

While installing gutters may not seem too difficult, hiring a professional does provide advantages over DIY installation.  Professionals know how to size your gutters, pitch them correctly, and attach them safely and securely to your home. 

A professional can also recommend which gutter material is best suited to your climate and roof. With expert installation, you avoid making mistakes with installation that could prove quite costly in the future. The peace of mind that comes with professional installation may outweigh the cost savings of a DIY approach. It could save you both time and money, particularly if an incorrect self-installation results in additional expenses.

If you’re not up to the job yourself, I recommend contacting a top-rated gutter installer to get a free quote.

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Watch the video for details.

Article Update Log
6/11/24
Reviewed for accuracy, cost data, industry best practices, and expert advice by Laurie Engle.
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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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