When it comes to home, a gutter is one thing that has to be maintained and repaired now and then. The problem with gutters is that these can take your entire plumbing at a toll if not done correctly. Right from flooding of water in the basement to leaking walls, installing your gutter properly is crucial to take care of your home.
Now, the gutter installation might look so easy that you commit to following the DIY route. However, there are plenty of mistakes that homeowners tend to make during their DIY procedure. This leads to gutter chaos and other plumbing issues.
So, if you are thinking of doing the same, here are the things you need to keep in mind or the mistakes you should avoid during your DIY task.
Gutter Installation Mistakes to Avoid
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Selecting the Wrong Type of Gutter
First things first, the right selection of gutter is important for your roofing system. You will come across a lot of choices in the market in terms of material, size, and style. Each of these choices plays a crucial role in providing support to your roof. Hence, rather than choosing any gutter of your choice, talk to a roofing expert.
The roofing expert will guide you to find the gutter suitable for your roof. For instance, a K style aluminum gutter is usually used for residential homes. On the other hand, ½ round aluminum gutters are used for houses built in rainy climates.
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Incorrect Spacing and Location
To get rid of the unnecessary roof and plumbing repair, the very thing you need to see is the hangers supporting your gutters. Make sure that the hangers are not supporting your roof more than three feet apart. If found otherwise, these might lead to sagging especially during heavy rainfall or snow.
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Installing Gutters Without a Pitch
Gutters are not meant to be leveled. These are meant to have a little pitch to let the water drain. However, make sure that the pitch is not more than an inch. This ensures rainwater flows freely toward the downspouts.
Furthermore, installing a pitch that is tilted forward is also an issue. Forward tilting of pitch is not right. It can lead to gutter overflow along with water pouring out over the edge and causing a water problem in and around your home.
Some Other Points to Consider
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Do Not Skimp on Installation Materials
Gutters that sag or bend is a sign that these are not installed properly. Mostly, this happens due to not having adequate hangers in place. The hangers are crucial as this anchors the gutters to the home. Make sure that you use a good-quality hanger that is not more than 3 feet apart.
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Do Not Settle for Subpar Gutter System
You might come across a lot of cheaper options in the market. However, the cheapest material is not the right material.
You can indeed find a good quality product at a fair price but make quality your priority. Keep in mind that installing rain gutters is just like an investment that pays off in the long term.
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Prioritize Seam Reduction
Your aim should be to have as few seams as possible. Adding many seams can lead to weak links allowing gutters to break or separate.
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Measure the Size
The one thing you need to do is measure the size of your home and the average rainfall in your area before installing a gutter. Picking the wrong one can lead to continuous overflow that can wreck your foundation.
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Place Downspouts Correctly
Now, this is where the expertise counts. The roofing or gutter experts know where to place the downspouts based on your home design. Not having enough downspouts or not installing them correctly can lead to serious problems for your home.
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Do Not Rely on Your DIY Project Completely
Installing a gutter is a skill that not everyone can possess. However, experienced roofing professionals or contractors can fix your gutter system in a jiff as well as avoid further repairs. Talk to a roofing expert and think of it as an investment that can last you a long time.
Your gutter plays a big role in maintaining a durable roofing system. Make sure you install it properly by consulting us, The Rain Gutter Specialists.
Source: The Rain Gutter Specialists
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