5 Tips for Gutter Placement and Hanger Spacing
November 27, 2018
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rain gutter installation is vital to keep your property safe from one of the homeowners' terrible headaches: dampness issues. For this reason, your drainage system must be always in good shape and well placed, with all its accessories installed, including gutters hangers. Your gutters will constantly receive large amounts of water in rainy seasons as well as the effect of other elements like leaves, debris, strong winds, and sunlight so they must be done of the same material as the gutter to be able to hold the structure in its place, no matter how heavy the rain is. If gutters are not properly placed on your roof or don't have enough gutter hangers, it's very probable that your rain gutter system starts showing signs of a poor installation, which will eventually end up in terrible water damages to your property.
Perhaps, you have read or listened to the phrase "anyone can install a rain gutter system", and in fact, it is true but will it be well installed? The performance of a rain gutter installation requires specific knowledge and skills that are acquired by the experience in the field; only one mistake can be catastrophic for the whole structure and thus for your house.
Today, we present you a list of 5 useful tips for an adequate gutter placement and hanger spacing whenever you decide to have a rain gutter installation in your property:
- Choose the right type of gutter
In the market, you can find a wide variety of gutters in different materials and sometimes this overwhelm clients, but what our experts always recommend is to pick the most durable option within your budget. Looking for a rain gutter contractor before purchasing new gutters will be a great help as he will provide you with valuable information on the right gutter style, size, and material suited for your property.
According to statistics, the most common gutter materials are aluminum, steel, copper, vinyl, and zinc and most houses use K-style in sizes 5 to 6 inch wide. To define these features, experts need to consider specific aspects such as the predominant weather of the area and the exterior appearance of the property, among others.
- Slope calculation
This is a critical aspect in any rain gutter installation. When you look at a rain gutter system from the ground, it looks like it was parallel to the roofline of the house but, they are slightly inclined, so rainwater can flow straight to the downspout without problems.
Every guttering project has its particular conditions and dimensions, which requires exact measuring; however, there is a kind of general formula that is used as a guide by contractors to initiate the job. To ensure the adequate drainage your gutters should be pitched approximately ¼ inch per 10 feet. This measuring must be as accurate as possible otherwise you will have one of these issues: if the pitch is too moderate, the water won't be able to reach the downspout thus; it will stay in the gutter until it overflows, causing leaky gutters and pooled water all over your home's siding, entrance or garage; on the other hand, if the pitch is too sharp, it will add an unpleasant look to your façade. For long guttering – of 40 feet or more – the slope or pitch should begin in the middle, diverting the water to a downspout at each end. This incline will ensure that water runs downwards, sweeping any debris in the gutters toward the downspout outlet.
We may say that neglecting this important aspect can spoil the main purpose of a rain gutter installation, so think it twice before doing it by yourself and have the peace of mind of choosing a contractor that will do it correctly.
- Gutter Placement
People usually think that gutters should be placed right on the roofline. This is incorrect because rainwater pulls back up on the underside of the roof and it drips down under the roof. In turn, rainwater will run behind gutters that hang too high, deteriorating the fascia boards along the way. To prevent this, you should place gutters a few inches lower the roof. As you can see, proper gutter placement plays an integral role in the maintenance of your house; that's why we advise you to take the gutter placement of your house seriously.
- Hanger spacing
Defining a properly hanger spacing will be given by the predominant climate of your area. If you live in a warm place with sporadic rain, you can hang gutter hangers close to the middle of the gutter, with a spacing of no more than 36 inches or three feet apart from the center. For rainy climates, where gutters will handle a larger amount of water for long periods, they should have a maximum distance of 18 inches apart between them.
- Flashing installation
Installing a slide gutter flashing under the shingles and over the back edge of the gutter will prevent water from running behind your gutters which can cause your fascia to rot and deteriorate over time. The flashing should be slid under both the shingles and the roofing paper but if the one you are using is too short to reach the back edge of the gutter, add an extra strip of metal sheet flashing over the gutter to attach it without problems.
Now, that you know how important a properly installed gutter system is, the decision is in your hands, whether to install rain gutters yourself or leave the work to professionals. Although, installing rain gutters may look like "easy piece", hiring a professional company that can handle the installation for you will save both your time and your money. If you aren't related to this kind of work, you have the risk of damaging your home or injuring yourself. On the other hand, experienced rain gutter technicians have the knowledge about what preventive measures should be taken during the whole process.
At Rain Gutters Solution you can find a group of experts with a wide experience in rain gutter installation, repair, and maintenance; equipped with top-notch tools to provide you with the peace of mind of leaving all the process in their hands and just wait for stunning results. Do not hesitate and contact us by calling at
(305) 270-7779 or by filling out our
contact form below to schedule your appointment with us. We'll gladly assist you!
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