5 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing New Gutters

Gutters are essential to your home because they help to direct water away from your home and help save your home from water damage. When it comes to installing new gutters on your home, there are some classic mistakes you need to be sure to avoid.

Mistake #1: Hanging the Gutters on the Edge of the Roof

When it comes to installing your gutters, you don't want to put them on the edge of your home. You want your gutters installed so that they are a couple of inches below the edge of your roof. Installing them a couple of inches below the roof will allow water to run off into the gutters. If the gutters are placed too high, they will not collect all the water they should. Instead, water will run down your fascia boards, causing them to deteriorate at a fast rate. The water will also stain your siding, so be sure to place your gutters a few inches below the edge of the roofline for the best results.

Mistake #2: Keep the Hangers Close

Next, keep the handers close together. You don't want your spacers to be more than a few feet apart. If the spacers are too far apart, your gutters will sag. When they sag in the middle, the water will build-up instead of flowing to the downspout as they should. You want more support, not less, when hanging up your gutters.

Mistake #3: Limit Seams

It is important to limit the number of seams in your gutter set-up. Seams present weak points in your gutters where they can separate over time. You will want to install gutters with the smallest amount of seams possible or go with a seamless gutter system if possible.

Mistake #4: Not Leveling Your Gutters

You need to make sure you keep the level of your gutters. They need to be level going front to back. If your gutters are not level, and they lean forward too much, the water will spill over the front edge instead of flowing through them. Be sure to use a leveler to keep your gutter level.

Mistake #5: Wrong Pitch

Gutters need to have the right pitch. The pitch is essential to ensure that water flows into the downspouts. You need the pitch to be just right. If the pitch is too sharp, your gutters will not look visually appealing. If the pitch is too gentle, the water will not flow. You want your gutters to slope over the length of their span gradually.

When it comes to installing gutters on your home, you want to make sure you get the installation process right. You can install them on your own or you can hire gutter installation services. If you hire professionals, you will not have to worry about making any install mistakes, as they will take care of the installation process for you.


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