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The Ultimate Guide to Gutter Replacement
Consider yourself a seasoned DIY enthusiast? Or just trying to form an opinion on what to do?
If you're getting stuck into some home improvements, guttering might not be the most exciting part of the process. It could be tempting to focus time and money on home upgrades that are only skin deep and dont improve a function. But getting your gutters right will repay you over and over again. Good gutters keep our ever-flowing British rain where it should be - not in your house!
What are the signs that you need your gutter replacing, and what are your best options? Well first of all, is any of your guttering defective? If your gutters are leaking water, your fascia will start rotting in no time. That can lead to water ingress and related damage - exactly what you don't want to mess up your interior finishes. If there is visible damage then we would recommend getting this sorted as soon as possible.
If you can see from a quick visual inspection that you've got any of the following, you need to take action:
• Sagging gutters
• Broken joints
• Plants growing in the gutters
• Leaks
• Cracks/broken sections
If you're getting leaks, first of all, consider the fact that they may be conjested/clogged with leaves and muck, and that's causing the water to run over. It's a simple job for a professional cleaning company to come and clean them out, or you can have a go yourself.
Water Pooling; If your downpipes and spouts are not positioned correctly, water can accumulate rather than running away. It's best to position them away from the house. You can add extensions to direct the water exactly where it needs to go. This can also occur if your gutters are angled incorrectly. If rainwater is collecting in the gutters rather than running off, the angle is most likely incorrect. Gutters need a gentle slope to allow the rainwater to flow correctly to the downpipe. If poorly installed, or damaged by leaves (as above), the flow can be disrupted.
Matching a neighbour's guttering (or not) if you live in a semi or a terraced house, can cause issues where your guttering meets that of the house - or houses - next door. If your neighbour has a new system, while yours is more of a vintage model, there can be compatibility issues at the join. Modern guttering is made to different dimensions. If the joins are not well sealed, you might need your gutters replaced, at least at that section.
This leads us on to gutter replacement - How do you do it? If your gutters have had it, you have two options. You can get the professionals in or go the DIY route. In fact, this is one residential project that can be quite successfully handled by amateurs.We estimate nearly 40% of our customers that order Lindab give the installation a go themselves.
There are times however, where we recommend (from experience) that you should get a professional in. Although this can be an achievable home improvement project, some houses will need professional help. If you have a very complicated roof design, with lots of different levels and pitches, it's best to leave it to the professionals. Also, be realistic about your own skills and experience. If you're a seasoned DIYer, then you will likely be able to tackle them. But if not, the consequences of getting it wrong could be disastrous.
Going down the DIY route, be sure to get safe access for the job and research how to use it safely. Rememver in all of this your safety is the number one priority here. Never take shortcuts with ladders - the consequences can be fatal. Check out the safety guide for the ladder you need for your job, and always maintain three points of contact while working. Scaffolding is the most expensive but much safer. If possible, try to use scaffolding as an alternative to other access systems.
Do a thorough inspection of the guttering and measure up what you need. Take photos to help and take detailed measurements of the parts you need to replace. This includes gutters, joining pieces and angled sections. Standard half-round gutters are used on most houses. Guttering suppliers provide gutters and downpipes. They also supply angled sections, end caps and brackets that are fully compatible.
Once this is complete, its time to remove the old guttering. Plastic guttering is quite easy to take down - it can even be a one-person job. On the other hand, cast iron guttering is harder to do alone, and you'll likely need an extra pair of hands. To safely remove the guttering, you can use temporary supports, (if you are dealing with heavier guttering), beneath the guttering you are going to remove. Once in place, cut away the bolts supporting the old guttering. Tie ropes around both ends of the gutter. Cut away the brackets and use the ropes to gently lower the section to the ground. Repeat for all sections of guttering. Now you can move on to the downpipes. Start at the top and work your way down.
We would strongly advise you check the fascia boards before you install the new guttering. Fill in the holes where you have removed the old brackets. If the boards are in poor condition, now's the time to replace them.
Installation instructions on guttering will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. This includes how the sections join and how far apart you need to space the brackets. If you are looking for a guide on how to install Lindab Guttering, the below steps do not apply and you should follow the instructions for this here.
Start by fixing a gutter bracket at the opposite end of the guttering to the outlet. Tie a piece of string to it - this will allow you to check the slope. Then position the gutter outlet over the drain, using a plumb line to check you have it in exactly the right place. Fix it in place. Use the string to check there's a slight fall from the bracket to the outlet. Mark out and fit the rest of the brackets. Fit the stop-end to the gutter and a union piece to the opposite end. Put it in place on the brackets and then fit the next length. Carry on until you reach the final piece of guttering. Cut this down with a hacksaw and attach the final stop-end.
You can now attach the downpipe. Use a plumb line and spirit level to ensure a straight drop. Fix the brackets according to the manufacturer's directions. Again, if you are fitting Lindab, see their guide here. Finally, fit the downpipe shoe. Make sure that it directs the water into the drain, with no overflow.
Now you know how to detect guttering that needs to be replaced. You know what types can and can't be done by a DIYer, and you've got a guide to gutter replacement. Now all you need are the gutters and fixings! We hope you have found this article useful, and if so check out our range of guttering available on sale right now.