Gutter installation requires specific knowledge and skills. As practice has shown, rain gutter installation is a job one can tackle on his own with a little effort and proper tools. Even though installing gutters is not a big deal, there are still some nuances you should be aware of. If you are thinking about installing gutters yourself, be patient and careful to avoid mistakes. An improperly installed gutter system can not only damage your building but also put your safety at risk. In today’s article, we’ll highlight the most common gutter mistakes. The good part is that we will tell you how to avoid them as well. So, let’s get straight to business.

Nowadays, there are many types of gutters in the market. Selecting the right type of gutters for your basement is the first thing to consider when planning gutter installation. Usually, home improvement experts recommend buying the most durable material within your budget. Consulting with your roof contractor before purchasing new gutters is a must. Your roof supplier will not only provide you with useful information on different gutter types and sizes, but he will also give advice and recommendations on the right width of gutter suited for your home.

Today, aluminum, steel, zinc, copper, and vinyl are considered to be the most common gutter materials. According to statistics, most houses use a twenty-six gauge 5 to 6-inch wide K-style aluminum gutter. Wondering why aluminum? The answer is simple – this material is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and available in a wide range of colors. Moreover, as a rule, it’s the least expensive option. However, if you live in a rainy climate or searching for a different gutter style, many other options are available.

The proper gutter pitch is critical for your gutter installation. From ground level, rain gutter installation should look like straight lines. Even though many homeowners think that their gutters run parallel to the roofline of the building, the truth is that they are slightly sloped for water to flow to the downspouts correctly and not overflow the channel. Remember, your gutters must be slightly pitched approximately one or two inches per 40 feet to ensure adequate drainage into the downspout. Neglecting this defeats the whole purpose of installing rain gutters. Therefore, you better take your time and get your rain gutter pitch right. By doing so, you will have peace of mind that rainwater is going exactly where it should.

People who are not that much into building stuff usually think that gutters should be placed on the roof’s edge. This is wrong. Since rainwater pulls back up on the underside of the roof through capillary action, it drips down under the roof. As a result, rain will run behind gutters that hang too high, damaging boards along the way. To prevent this from happening you should place gutters a few inches under the roof. Otherwise, you risk damaging the fascia board. As you can see, proper gutter placement plays an integral role in the maintenance of your house. That’s why we recommend to take gutter placement on house seriously.

Usually, gutters are fixed to the roof of the building with the use of special hangers that must be appropriately spaced together to provide the necessary lift and support to the gutter. In the event of improper spacing, there is a high chance gutters will sag and even tug the whole gutter installation system. Roof experts say that gutter hangers should be no closer than 36 inches apart. The optimal gutter hanger spacing is around three feet or less. That’s the space homeowners should leave between hangers. Keep in mind that in areas where snow and ice last long, rain gutter hanger spacing should be reduced to 18 inches.

When it comes to choosing between seamless and sectional gutters, it’s often a question what type is more suitable for your building. Sectional gutters are popular with DIY homemakers because they can be installed without the need for any specialized equipment. Also, sectional gutters are very easy to connect. In addition to that, this type of gutters is relatively cheap. The main drawback of sectional gutters is there is a potential for leaks, even if they’re professionally installed. Seamless gutters, on the contrary, have no potential for leaks because they are usually manufactured from a single coil of aluminum, which has been coated to prevent erosion and rot. However, they are not something you can install by yourself. All in all, we recommend you to install sectional gutters unless you can afford more expensive options.