Gutters are one of the most important elements of a house. Their main job is to collect rainwater from the roof and then divert it safely away from the house’s foundation and landscape. That’s why the proper installation of gutters is very important in order to prevent water damage of any kind to the property.
Unfortunately, some homeowners falsely assume that gutter installation is an easy job. But, unless you have special training or experience, you’d be surprised to learn that installing gutters and downspouts is actually a bit more complex than it seems. That’s why it is best to leave the job to the professionals to do the installation for you, and protect yourself from costly repairs.
That being said, here are five mistakes to avoid making when installing or replacing your gutters.
Photo by Zachary Keimig from Unsplash
Don’t install the gutters yourself
Whether you know your way around gutters or not, it is still best that you hire local professionals to do the installation for you. For instance, if you live in Austin, Texas, and want to install or replace your gutters, make sure you search for the best gutter installation Austin TX has to offer. This way you will also be able to avoid additional damages to your property.
After all, gutter installation is a complex job that requires the knowledge and experience of professional gutter contractors. These people understand how to clean, repair, and install gutters and downspouts around your property, using the best installation methods and tools at their disposal.
Pick the right material
While many homeowners will settle for the lowest-priced gutter material, it is not always the best. For example, vinyl may be great for siding, but it isn’t the best material for gutters because it isn’t strong enough.
Metal may be a much better alternative, particularly copper, but it can be expensive and also require specialized tools and labor to install.
Instead, aluminum is often the most preferred choice because it is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and affordable.
In any case, it is best that you consult with professional contractors to give you advice. They can tell you what the right material is for you based on your property’s needs and your budget.
Use the right rain gutter size
The amount of rain your gutter can handle is crucial to its ability to drain it away from your home. If the gutter is too small, it can become overwhelmed with rainwater and be unable to handle heavy downfalls. Inefficient drainage can lead to gutter damage, foundational problems, and even foundational issues.
To prevent this from happening, you should consider the area’s average rainfall as well as the pitch and size of your roof. The bigger your roof is, the bigger your gutters need to be so they will be able to collect all the water they will receive.
Don’t space the gutter hangers too far apart
Gutter hangers play an important role in the overall gutter system as they are the ones that attach the gutters to the house.
Unfortunately, many installers put these hangers too close together. This is wrong because hangers placed too far apart can cause rain gutters to sag, which can further lead water to pool in these areas. Due to this additional load, the gutters could eventually split from the house.
Instead, gutter hangers should be placed at least every 3 feet to provide support. However, 2 feet is recommended in northern climates, where snow and ice can increase the gutters’ weight.
Position the downspouts properly
The location of the downspouts is a key factor in the performance of your gutter system. Ideally, they should be positioned at the corners of the house whenever possible. If your house is pretty long, you should install one downspout in the middle as well.
That’s why it is important to consider how many downspouts are needed because if there aren’t enough, your rain gutters may experience problems such as flooding during heavy rains and standing water.
In addition, poor downspout placement can cause erosion, insect infestations in the gutters, foundation damage, or siding damage, all of which can lead to costly repairs.
Photo by Carter Baran from Unsplash
Final thoughts
Even if you have some experience working on roofs and gutters, gutter installation is a complex job that should be best left to professionals. Otherwise, you are increasing the chances of choosing the wrong gutter material, positioning the downspouts incorrectly, and spacing the gutter hangers too far apart. All of this can easily lead to all kinds of damages and costly repairs.
Just follow the tips from our post and make the most out of your gutter system.