Use a measuring tape to determine the length of the gutter.
Best way to run gutters.
But don t overlook performance and quality.
Measure and record the distance from the bottom of the fascia board to this nail.
The most important thing to remember is that the gutters should never be level.
They do the job all right but eventually the spikes work themselves loose.
In fact leaky overflowing gutters can buckle basement walls in just a few years.
Here s how to choose the best gutters for your home.
Determine what works best for your house before ordering gutters and attachments.
Snap layout lines photo by mary beth montgomery.
Experts recommend that you allow for a inch slope towards the downspouts for every 10 feet of gutter.
Twice in the fall and before spring.
Most basement water problems are really gutter and downspout problems.
Also check and repair berms and ditches as necessary.
Here are 10 things to take into account when trying to improve your water drainage and runoff.
Attach elbow to bottom end of downspout and connect a downspout extension to carry rainwater away from the foundation.
These gutters will run two to four times as much as gutters manufactured from lesser materials so be prepared to shell out a few more peanuts if you go this route.
Years ago spikes and ferrules were a common method for hanging gutters.
How to install gutters.
When installing gutters set the proper slope by driving a nail 1 2 in.
Clean gutters regularly to keep rainwater flowing freely.
Pounding them back in is a temporary fix at best.
If the gutter run measures longer than 40 feet 12 2 m it should be positioned to pitch down from the middle aimed toward a downspout at each end.
Mark the highest point of the gutter run on the fascia 1 inches below the metal drip edge flashing on the extra wide fascia shown here the gutter is lower down.
Gutters don t look very impressive but they re about as important as the roof over your head.
How to install gutters in 8 steps 1.
Below the shingles on the high side of the gutter run.
There are many things you can do to improve the effectiveness of your gutters.
Inspect clear out your gutters regularly.
If using a splash block at end of downspout be sure the splash block and ground upon which it rests slope away from the house.
In this case moderation is best.
One way to make sure your gutter doesn t fall off the house is to install fascia hanger brackets.
Finally copper gutters are perhaps the most beautiful rain gutters on the market and like stainless steel are virtually indestructible.
Where you place the gutter system matters too.
For every 10 feet of gutter from this measurement and mark this distance at the low end of the gutter run.
You know the gutters go on the roof but do you know exactly where.