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DIY – How to Install Gutters

We often overlook gutters until something goes wrong, but they are an important feature to protect the structural integrity of your home. If the gutters around your house need replacement and you’re thinking of doing the job yourself, there is plenty to consider. Some of the main factors include gutter size, overflow capacity, gutter pitch, local rainfall capacity and downspout considerations.

Getting the gutter pitch right

A gutter pitch is basically when they are angled towards the downspouts on your property to enable a proper flow of rain water into the stormwater drainage system. This prevents water from standing on your roof gutters and causing problems down the track. As a general rule, the end opposite the downspout should be the highest point of the gutter so that the water flows in the right direction towards the drainage. If pitched incorrectly, water will stand in the gutter.

The excess weight will cause excess damage to the gutter and result in premature replacement. Worse still, leaking water could ultimately damage the structural integrity of your home. The gutter pitch angle is not an easy one to achieve for the untrained homeowner, when many professionals get it wrong too. At The Gutter Pros, we have installed hundreds of gutters and know exactly what to do – getting it right the first time.

Measuring the length of the roof

Gutters should run along the entire length of the roof and should be attached to the fascia. If the roof is long, then it should pitch down from the middle towards downspouts at each end. If the gutter is not too long, then it can slope down from one end to another – towards a single downspout.

When measuring the roof, remember to practice ladder safety to avoid any unnecessary risks and injuries. Make sure you have the right shoes and protective equipment to minimize the chance of a fall.

Gutter size and roof length

Choosing the gutter size

The gutter size will depend on your roof size. For standard roof planes between 600 and 800 square feet, you can probably choose a regular 5-inch gutter but if you have a larger plane, then you will need bigger gutters to handle the rainfall. We have often come across homes with overflowing water due to undersized gutters. This is often for various reasons – either the builder tried to cut costs and installed an undersized system or the rainfall has increased over time.

As a general rule, the 6-inch gutters can hold more water capacity and may be ideal for those with larger properties. Again, this can be difficult for homeowners to judge on their own, which is where an experienced professional can make all the difference.

Cut downspout holes

Gutter Downspout InstallationOnce you have sized up your gutters based on capacity and roof length, it is now time to consider where the downspout outlets are going to go. Again, another rule of thumb requires the downspout hole to be created at the lowest end of the gutter angle so that water can freely flow through and into the drainage system. Drill a hole through the gutter so that there is enough space to place the pipe. To do this job, you will likely need a hole saw or hammer and chisel.

Installing a gutter is no mean feat. These small tips don’t even begin to scratch the surface when it comes to gutter installation accuracy. Getting it wrong can have devastating consequences in the long run, which is why it is always best to hire the professionals from the word go so you are not left between a rock and a hard place trying to unfix a mistake. For all your gutter installation needs, call The Gutter Pros today. We have the skill, tools and knowhow to install your gutters, offering competitive prices and excellent finishes – giving you complete peace of mind knowing you have a reliable team.

DIY – How to Clean Your Gutters

Over time, leaves and debris can settle on your Clarksville rain gutters and cause them to clog – resulting in bigger problems for your home’s interiors and structural foundation down the track. Properly functioning gutters will keep water from entering your home, which is why cleaning them regularly is an important step in protecting your home. So, let’s learn how to do that.

Use a Ladder Safely

Ladder safety should be your number 1 priority because even a small mistake could lead to major injuries or even death. Be sure to use a stable ladder that comfortably reaches your roof to help you clean your gutters more easily. Have someone else standing down at the bottom so they can secure the base and provide that additional layer of stability. This is a good way to prevent the ladder (and yourself) from falling over. Set the ladder against the wall of your property and not against the gutter just to make sure it doesn’t slip. Avoid walking along the roof to clean the gutters because this is a big safety hazard and can lead to a preventable accident. While DIY cleaning is possible for the average homeowner, keep in mind, there is always a risk for untrained homeowners. A professional gutter cleaning company such as The Gutter Pros knows how to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Wear the Right Protective Clothes

While this may sound like a common sense request, you’ll be surprised at the number of accidents that could have been prevented just by wearing the right footwear. Clothing should ideally cover long pants, a comfortable long-sleeved shirt and closed shoes with a strong bottom grip – ideally made from rubber. Avoid going bare feet or with flip-flops, as this can prove to be a major slipping hazard. You’ll also want to wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying dust and debris, a hat to avoid the harsh rays of the sun and gloves to protect your hands from any injury.

Get the Right Gutter Cleaning Tools

For a safe and thorough job, it is also important to ensure you have the right gutter cleaning tools to use. For example, a leaf blower with a nozzle attachment to blow leaves and twigs out of the gutter. You may also need a power washer to blast away leaves and debris. Other tools, such as a gutter scoop, will also come in handy. However, you may want to consider the fact that without the right experience and training, your gutter may not fully unclog no matter what you try. In this case, it is best to leave the job to the professionals who know the areas to tackle and the right tools to use in different situations. This can be the most cost-effective approach to preventing major structural damage to your home in the long run.

Check and Clean Gutters Regularly

The frequency of cleaning gutters is usually dependent on where you live and how much greenery you have around your home. As a general rule, once a year is usually enough once the leaves fall, but if you live in an area with plenty of trees and greenery, then you may want to check a couple of additional times a year to prevent any major gutter clogs. Checking your gutters is a small step towards protecting your home from any major damage. If this is something you are not confident about doing on your own, the professionals at The Gutter Pros are always here to help.


Preventive Gutter Maintenance

Prevention is Better than Cure

At the end of the day, preventing clogged gutters is far better than having to fix the problem, which is why gutter cleaning is such a vital need for homeowners. To reduce the risk of clogs and allow stormwater to flow seamlessly into your pipes, make sure your gutters remain clean year-round. Instead of taking the risk of DIY cleaning yourself, why not contact the trained experts at The Gutter Pros. We clean all types of gutter systems for properties and will make sure the job is safely and efficiently carried out – minimizing any risk and protecting your home now and for years to come.