How to Replace Your CT Gutters
Your home is your abode, and it’s vital that you maintain its appearance for various reasons. One of the most forgotten yet vital parts of your house’s exterior are the gutters. They are designed to divert and carry the accumulated rainwater away from the foundation of your home. Without them, water would erode the soil around the foundation, causing siding and basement damage and potentially costing thousands of dollars in repairs. However, sometimes the reward of getting new gutters outweighs the effort required to replace them. It’s vital that gutters and downspouts are measured and installed correctly and while they’re often installed by experts, replacing them is a relatively easy process. Here’s how you can replace and install your CT gutters in a quick and cost-efficient manner.
Replacing CT Gutters
Typically, a large section of gutter – around 10 feet – is damaged and needs replacement. For smaller pieces, use a hacksaw or tin snips to cut to a recommended size. Remove all old joint connectors and toss out any sealant from the existing gutter. Fill the ends of the new joint connectors with sealant before installing the gutter. Run a test fit, and loosen any adjacent hangers to the replacement area if necessary. Make sure to add hangers every 3 feet and confirm that the gutter is pointed toward the downspout at a slope.
Adding the Downspout
Fit the new downspout into the drop outlet. The outlet should fit inside the downspout section to maintain flow and keep the jointing from leaking. Fasten the joint with two gutter screws – add additional sections as needed. Finish the downspout with an elbow positioned at least six inches above required grade. Then attach the downpout extender, which should flow at least five feet into your yard.
Installing New CT Gutters
Most residential CT gutters are either made of lightweight aluminum but other options such as vinyl, steel and copper are available. Aluminum ranges from $4.50 to $8.50 per linear foot which can be expensive upgrade if you’re home is about 1,500 – 2,000 square-feet.
First, measure and snap a layout line using chalk. Locate both the starting and ending points of the gutter run, mark the points and make a chalk line between the two. Then, for appropriate measurement, cut the gutters to size using the hacksaw. Attach the gutter brackets; they’ll likely either snap onto the gutters or be mounted into the faceboard depending on the type of gutter you have. Mark the location for the downspout opening on the gutter and cut an opening using a jigsaw.
Attach the downspout connector and end cap to the gutter using sealant (preferably silicone) and metal screws. All open-ended runs of gutter should have an end cap. Mount the new CT gutters – make sure a bracket is mounted every two feet. Use a stainless steel screw that’s long enough to penetrate the face board at least two inches. Then, attach the downspout using the downspout connector confirming that it’s faced in the proper direction. To finish the project, seal any gutter connection with a heavy line of sealant allowing it to dry overnight.