While rain gutters seldom receive attention, they contribute a necessary function in keeping rainwater diverted away from your siding and foundation. Rain gutters collect the water from your roof, diverting it into downspouts that direct the flow onto the ground. These small water diversion implements can protect your basement form leaking and keep dirt from splashing onto your siding.
Instructions
1. Measure the length of the roof at the eaves. Measure the height of your home from the ground to the edge of the eaves for your downspouts. Purchase 10 percent more than your measurements indicate to allow for overlap and cutting.
2. Place a chalk line along the eaves to mark the correct placement for brackets. Create your chalk line at an angle, dropping 1 inch per 16 feet. Make the lowest part of your chalk line against the corner that will hold the downspout.
3. Attach mounting hangers or gutter brackets along the lower edge of the chalk line, placing one hanger every 3 to 4 feet. Use a drill with a screwdriver bit to install 2-inch galvanized screws into the holes in the hangers, firmly attaching the hangers to the eaves.
4. Clip pieces of rain gutter into the hangers, starting at the high end of the chalk line. Snap a solid end piece to the outer end of the first piece of gutter. Depending on the length of the roof line, you may require numerous sections of gutter. Attach the sections by overlapping the lower piece of gutter 2-inches under the upper portion to keep the water from dripping out as it runs down the slope. Clip a connector joint over the overlapped portion to hold the two ends firmly in place.
5. Cut any excess length of gutter with a hacksaw, making the end of the gutter eave stop about 6 to 8 inches short of the corner of the house. Snap a gutter end piece with a downspout housing onto the end of the gutter section. Use a connector to attach the downspout to the housing. Install angle connectors to bring the downspout in toward the side of the house. Hold the downspout in place with downspout brackets and screws.
6. Repeat this procedure on the other eave that runs along the opposite side of the roof line. Depending on the style of your home, you may need to attach gutters in other areas, such as the eaves that extend beyond angles that connect the garage to the house.
