Out of the various exterior components of a house, the gutters seem to be one of the most important. Their main purpose is to collect rainwater from the roof and channel it through the downspouts which then direct it away from the foundation of the house. This way they are protecting the property from potential water damage as well as homeowners from unexpected and costly repairs.
Besides providing protection, a good guttering system also serves as a decorative element, giving an instant boost to the house’s overall appearance.
However, just like other areas of the home, gutters can wear out over time and require immediate replacement. In case your current gutter system needs updating, here is everything you need to know about the gutter installation process.
Table of Contents
1. Call Up a Professional Gutter Contractor
Although the gutter installation may not be as complex as installing or replacing a roof, it still requires the expertise, skills, and tools of professional gutter contractors to do a good job. These people are well familiar with this exterior component and can give you advice on what the right type of gutter system is best for your home.
Plus, it is very cost-effective as hiring a gutter contractor can actually help you save money over time. They protect you from potential damages and prevent you from making mistakes if you decide to purchase the materials yourself.
So, for instance, if you live in the capital city of the Lone Star State, look for the best Austin TX gutter installation services nearby to find a reliable and experienced gutter contractor for the best rate.
2. Remove Your Old Gutters
If you already have gutters, they need to come off first before you can install your new gutter system. This can be accomplished by carefully removing the outdated gutters and downspouts from the fascia and eaves brackets on your home, or it can be done for you by a qualified gutter contractor.
If you decide to remove the gutters yourself, be sure to first speak with your contractors so they can advise you on how to do so safely and with the least amount of risk to your eaves.
As you are removing your old gutters, make sure you also check for any damages that can make the new installation more difficult or even delay the process altogether. For this situation, you should call up a quality roofer to do a thorough inspection on your behalf before moving to the new gutter installation process.
3. Measure and Prepare
Once the old gutters and downspouts are removed, you can move on to the next step and which is measuring and preparing the worksite for the new gutters. Your roofer will measure the location of your new gutters, their length, the best place for the downspouts, and the angle at which he needs to join the gutter corners.
The general rule is that the installation project will go better and your new gutters will perform better the more accurately the measurements are.
While your roofer is doing all the measuring, you can also take your time to explore the different types of gutter systems available and choose the right one for your home.
4. Install Your New Gutter System and Downspouts
After taking all measurements, preparing the worksite, and choosing your gutter types, you can start the installation process. Although gutter installation isn’t a very complex project, it still takes a few crew members to complete the job in a day or so, depending on the size and height of your house.
As soon as your gutters are properly installed, the contractors will continue to install your downspouts which are responsible for carrying the rainwater down and away from your home, preventing damage to your foundation or flooding your basement.
In addition to having your entire gutter system professionally installed, make sure you also maintain it regularly by cleaning it at least twice a year and watching out for any malfunctioning.
Final Thought
If you are thinking about updating or completely installing a new gutter system in your home, it is important that you are first aware of what the entire installation process entails.
To make the most out of your gutters and protect yourself from potential damages and costly repairs, you should call up a professional gutter contractor to give you advice and guide you through the project.
For more information, refer to our post and read what you should expect from a professional gutter installation.
