How to Install Gutters
Introduction
Gutters are important in helping keep water out of your basement.
Properly installed gutters catch water coming off your roof and channel
it away from your foundations to prevent water pooling and damage
at the lower building levels.
Planning
Choose your preferred gutter type and find out the dimensions. Look
at the outside of your home and determine how you would like the
gutters to channel the water. Your gutter needs to catch the water
as it comes off the roof and channel it away from your home.
Measure along the edges of your roof. Calculate how many gutter
sections you need. Add 10 percent to your measurements for wastage
and fitting. Combine the roof measurement with your gutter layout
plan to calculate the number of other gutter components you will
need.
Installation
Workmanship
Gutters need to be installed in a workmanlike manner as these catch the water as it comes off the roof and channel it away from your home. Measure along the edges of your roof and calculate how many gutter sections you need. Add 10% to your measurements for wastage and fitting. Combine the roof measurement with your gutter layout plan to calculate the number of other gutter components you will need.
Downpipes & Accessories
Begin at the end of your roof away from the downpipe location and measure down 1.27cm from the edge of your roof and mark it.
Move to the downpipes and again measure and mark down 1.27cm from the roof edge. Use a string level to be sure these marks are level with each other.
Calculate the slope you need so the water in your gutters flows towards the downpipes.
Measure the distance from the first mark at the downpipe end. Snap a chalk line from the lower mark at the downspout end to the single mark at the far end. This chalk line will be your reference line for installing your gutters.
Install the components of your gutter system - drop outlets, corners and mounting brackets. Fit individual sections of gutter into the mounting brackets and join the sections with gutter connectors. Use a hacksaw to cut gutter sections to fit when necessary.
Run clear silicon between the gutter sections to prevent water leaking through the seams. Install an elbow at the bottom of the drop outlet, then measure, cut and install the downspout to the base of the drop outlet. Attach the downpipe to the side of your house using mounting brackets.
Materials
Rainwater runoff from roofing materials such as ZINCALUME® steel or COLORBOND® prepainted steel, aluminium or glazed tile surfaces should no be drained into a plain galvanised gutter or downpipe. Please enquire at your nearest Metroll office about colours, lead time and availability.
Harsh Environments
Avoid using Metroll guttering and accessories within 1km of industrial, chemical, marine or unusually corrosive environments. If your project is located within a corrosive region please contact your nearest Metroll office for advice on the right product to use.
Overall Tips
Use rust resistant screws when installing your gutter components.
As a design principle, the overflow provisions should not be less than the capacity of the downpipes. Gutter manufacturers are able to provide technical advice on their products.
Suggested overflow measures include:
- Slotted front of gutter (subject to adequate capacity of slots)
- Inverted downpipe nozzle at high points in the gutter but set at a level below the fascia top
- Stop ends cut down to a lower level to act as a weir
- Gutter installed such that the gutter front is below the top of the fascia allowing overtopping of the gutter
For more information refer to the “Water Overflow & Residential Gutters Fact Sheet” www.metroll.com.au
Tools You May Need
- Chalk line
- String level
- Carpenters level
- Hacksaw
- Silicon cartridges & guns
- Rust resistant screws
- Ladder or scaffolding
- Gutter sections & components
- Power drill & screwdriver bits
- Tape measure
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