The 6 Most Common DIY Gutter Installation Mistakes

January 12, 2022

A good rain gutter can bring a major change to your home, particularly when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a long rainy season. Ideally, homeowners hire professional rain gutter installation contractors, but some people choose to install the gutters themselves to save some extra cash. While it's not impossible to work through the installation on your own, chances are the result isn't made to last beyond a few years. In many cases, DIY gutters fail to do their work from the get-go, and the reason usually has to do with common mistakes people make when they're not familiar with the process.

When you're in the gutter installation industry, it becomes apparent that many of these mistakes are related to gaps in people's knowledge on the field. Gutters are versatile by nature, but this doesn't mean that they can be installed in such a simple manner after you have all the materials in place. To explain things more effectively, let's go through the 6 most common DIY gutter installation mistakes:

1. Wrong gutter dimensions: Homeowners usually start at the standard size for residential gutters, which are usually between 5 and 6 inches wide depending on the gutter's style. While this is a good starting point, the perfect size varies for each building depending on the roof's dimensions and the amount of rain in the area. Maybe the standard size is not wide enough, or your gutter profile is too narrow, affecting the gutter's capacity to hold enough water to protect the foundations. Some gutter profiles work like a charm for traditional suburban structures, but you still need to find that balance between style and dimensions to ensure optimal water-holding capacity.


2. Improper hanger spacing: Rain gutters are supported by hangers that are placed all over the gutter's length. If these hangers are too far apart from each other, the gutter will sage and lose stability. Make sure there's no more than 2 or 3 feet of space between each gutter hanger, especially if you get snow in your area (you need to consider the added weight in your plans).


3. Improper roof pitch measurement: Many of the decisions concerning a gutter's size and design depend on the size of your roof, specifically the roof's area and pitch. If you work with the wrong set of measures in mind, the slope of your gutter will not be adapted to catch all the water rolling from the roof.


4. The gutter is positioned incorrectly: For one, the gutter should sit a few inches below your roofline, or the water will just slip between the gutter and the fascia, spilling all over your walls. Also, if the gutters don't have the right pitch, the water may either overflow or pool inside the gutter without ever making its way to the downspouts.


5. Wrong downspout placement: The downspouts are the last stop the water reaches before it's drained away from your home. As such, they should run at least 8-10 feet away from your foundations. If your downspouts aren't installed properly or if they're placed too close to your home, you will still end up getting pools of water around your foundations and on the soil.


6. The seams are not secured properly: Seams are the weakest part of any rain gutter. They are usually the cause of leaks and other problems that end up damaging the gutter system in the long run. If you don't screw the seams firmly and with the right tools upon installation, the gutter may fall apart after sustaining too much wind, water, snow, etc. The more seams you use, the more fragile the gutter will be, which is why seamless gutters are such an asset in terms of durability.

Accidents and injuries are another common outcome of DIY installation practices. No matter how well you know your home, assembling a gutter while keeping balanced below your roof's edge is no easy feat. Even when getting the assistance of a friend, you could risk serious injuries or cause damage on multiple parts of your roof.

Why Hire a Professional Gutter Installer

A mistake during a DIY installation not only will result in money wasted on materials, but also the added costs of new supplies and potential repairs. All in all, the process turns into a chore since you have to worry about hunting the best materials and working through the all the steps, all while checking different sources to make sure you're not missing anything.

A professional installer will not miss any of the details that go into defining the right guttering system, from size specifications, measurements, the most effective additions to match the local climate, etc. This also renders the process 10 times simpler because professional contractors have the best equipment to save time and avoid needless risks.

Of course, this also lends you the opportunity to set the bar higher when it comes to want you want from your gutters. This is why Rain Gutters Solution strives to set the standards for the perfect rain gutter while providing the best installation services. We provide the most durable materials and the most advanced equipment to customize your gutters to the last detail, while taking your home's layout into account throughout the whole process.

Don't stress over getting everything you need to install the perfect gutter. Rain Gutters Solution has what it takes to surpass all your expectations. Call (305) 270-7779 or fill out the contact form on this website to get the best service in South Florida. The professional team at Rain Gutters Solution is ready to surpass all your expectations.

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