Gutters are essential to the health of your home’s roof and foundation. They prevent water from pooling around your house, where it can seep into the foundation or siding and cause damage, or collect on the roof and sag, which can also damage or stain the gutter system. A well-planned gutter installation will protect your house from these problems and allow the water to drain properly. If you’re considering installing a gutter system, consult with a professional before starting the project to discuss your needs and options. Gutter materials and styles vary widely, so make sure to choose the one that best fits your architectural style and climate.
The first step in any gutter installation orlando fl is to clean the existing system. If the gutters are clogged or have a low spot where standing water accumulates, hose them down to flush them out. Also, inspect the gutter brackets and hangers; tighten or replace as needed.
If you’re planning to install a new gutter system, mark the layout on your fascia boards with a pencil. At the high point, use a level to measure the slope of the gutter run — you’ll need about a 1/4-inch vertical drop for every 10 feet of gutter run. At the low end of the gutter, mark a location for your downspouts. To make your gutters watertight, you’ll need a tube of high-quality gutter lap sealer. The sealant comes in a variety of colors to match your gutters and can be applied with short sheetmetal screws or Pop rivets.
With the help of an assistant, assemble each gutter section on the ground before you lift it to the roofline. If your gutters are prefabricated, a special seaming bracket is installed along the length of each section to create the gutter’s sloped line. If you’re using K-style gutters, screw the brackets to the face-board every 18 to 24 inches.
If your gutters are made from a single piece, install the downspout outlets in each end of the gutter run. Apply a heavy bead of lap seal to the gutter flanges and to each outlet flange. If you’re using a gutter with a pre-installed outlet, skip this step.
Once the gutter sections are sloping correctly, fasten them to their hanger brackets with long screws. Then, apply a bead of the lap-seal caulk to each joint between the gutter and the fascia board. If your gutters come with inside and outside corner pieces, assemble them on the ground before lifting them to the roofline. If you need to assemble them on the roof, attach each corner with a screw or rivet through the gutter and into the rafter tail.
Once the gutters are in place, a final bead of lap seal is applied to all joints between the gutter and the downspouts. This will ensure that the gutters are watertight and will keep out the dirt and debris that could clog them in the future. To finish the project, you’ll need to reinstall any downspouts that you removed earlier and flush out the gutter system with a hose to test the water flow and drainage.