How Easy is it to Install Rain Gutters Yourself?

If you are building a new home and are hoping to save money by doing some work yourself, or indeed if you are renovating your existing home, you might be keen to find out how easy it is to install a drainage gutter system yourself. According to the experts at Global Gutter Systems, most people hire a professional team to do the job. However, if you are good at DIY, then you may be able to do this yourself to keep your costs down.

Why Rain Gutters are Important

If you are tempted to forego the rain gutter system, please don’t. This system is vital because without it you would likely see damage to your home with time. The gutter system is designed to collect water from the roof of the house and carry it away. If you did not have gutters, the rain would most likely drip down the side of the house and then leak into the crawlspace or basement. It could also erode the foundations, causing subsidence in the future.

Should You Install Rain Gutters

As mentioned already, the experts really do a good job when it comes to installing these gutter systems, but if you are confident that you have the ability to take care of this job, then you should go for it.

Although those with DIY skills might find it easy to install rain guttering, it is not as straightforward as you might think. Those who have never done any DIY work before might struggle with the tools. You will need to take everything from safety to pitch measurements into consideration. Nevertheless, if you do know your way around a toolbox, you can expect the job to take between six and eight hours, depending on the size of the gutter system in question.

What You Will Need

If you have the confidence to work on a ladder at the height of your roof and you have the tools required, it may be worthwhile taking on the job yourself. Nonetheless, you need to remember that it is not simply a case of removing the old guttering and replacing it with the new. There is more to it than this.

You need to make sure that the new gutters are measured correctly and are installed at the correct pitch to ensure that further water damage does not occur in the future.

A variety of tools and equipment will be required before you get started. You will need a ladder with an extension that reaches up to the level of your roof. In addition to this, you will need to have a tape measure, cordless combi drill, drill bits, level, hacksaw, tin snips, caulk gun, crimper, hammer, nails, and offset tin snips.

Something to consider too is the fact that this is not a one-person job. You will need someone else to help, especially if you are using copper or steel guttering, which can be heavy. Even when using vinyl or plastic guttering (which is light), you are going to need another pair of hands if you are trying to pull a lengthy piece of guttering up to the roof.

Plus, having someone to hold the ladder as you work is vital when it comes to health and safety. The ladder should always be on flat ground and supported by another person. If you are using an extension, you need to make sure that at least three rungs are overlapping to provide stability.

Making sure you have the right safety equipment, such as a hard hat and flat shoes or boots with a grip to keep you steady, finishes off what you will need to get started. Good luck.

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