5 Reasons To Avoid DIY Gutter Installation 

The popularity of DIY, or Do It Yourself projects, has increased during the COVID-19 era. Many of us are looking for other household chores to do during these modern times. Many people are now looking for new projects after organizing their attic, repurposing the basement, or completing other household tasks.

Some of us are already focusing on gutters as the fall months approach. It seems like a simple job: measure the amount of gutter you need and attach it to your roof. It’s important to know that there is much more involved in installing a gutter correctly.

There are many reasons why installing gutters yourself can be a bad idea.

1. The Scale: How much work is needed?

Most people underestimate the size of a project such as installing gutters. If you have never installed gutters before, even the most experienced handymen will find it difficult to deal with the issues that arise. If your house is only 2 feet from the neighbor’s, you won’t need as much guttering as if it were surrounded by trees. Installing rain gutters on a smaller scale can lead to the purchase of unnecessary materials and an overall lack of preparation.

2. The Materials

It is important to note that the number of materials and tools required for installing rain gutters should not be underestimated. You may have a large tool collection, but you should resist the temptation to install gutters on your own.

Here is a sample of tools needed for the job.

• Stepladder or stool (depending on the height of your roof)
• Safety equipment such as gloves and goggles
• Extra batteries and power tools
• Mark your cuts with a permanent pen or marker
• The 25+ foot tape measures
• Gutter brackets
• Construction glue and glue sealant
• Caulking gun for the glue

And that doesn’t include the gutters! If you don’t have these tools around the house, it can be a costly trip to the hardware shop.

3. The Unseen

Did you know installing gutters is more complicated than simply attaching them to the roof? Before you screw or wire anything to the surrounding area, it is important to make sure that everything is in order.

If the wood rots, it will be necessary to replace the soffits or areas below your roof, between the gutter and wall. Fascia, the flat boards that wrap around your home under your roof and are called fascia will also need to be replaced if they show signs of damage. It may be tempting to skip the step of attaching gutters on damaged fascia or Soffits, but this can lead to more costly repairs in the future.

4. Two hands will not be enough to help!

There is no way to do a gutter installation by yourself safely. If you are going to climb a ladder to do a job, it is best to have someone else with you to steady the ladder or to be prepared to call for an ambulance if there’s an accident.

Having two or more workers at the same time will make it much easier to install rain gutters. A second pair of hands will help you to secure the gutter to your roof. You won’t need to climb up and down a ladder every time you want to change tools.

5. Directing the Drainage

Most people overlook this part of their project. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that you have managed to acquire all the necessary tools and materials. You have even convinced a family member or friend to help you install your gutters. What should be a no-brainer: how do you secure the new gutters?

You may think that the answer is “on top”, but are you sure which way they need to be facing to work properly? The gutters should be installed at an angle so that water can drain out naturally. Did you know gutters with a certain length may need to have two drainage points? What’s the point of installing gutters when the rainwater has nowhere to go? Installed incorrectly, gutters can only catch rainwater and not drain the water away from your home. This can lead to the damaged fascias and soffits that were mentioned earlier or even worse.

Leave it to a Professional

We are all looking for ways to save money. It’s understandable that, in these uncertain times, some people are willing to take on large projects they wouldn’t normally attempt. Installing rain gutters may not be the same thing as painting the children’s room or starting a garden.

Many first-timers underestimate the cost of a rain gutter installation. You may already have a ladder but is it long enough to reach your roof? Installing a rain gutter may not appear to be difficult or expensive. Many people end up going over budget when they do this, especially if mistakes are made.

This post was written by a professional at Rain Gutter Medic. Rain Gutter Medic’s commitment to protecting your home starts with ensuring it has the best gutter system in place. Based in West Jordan, UT, they bring over 24 years of specialized experience in Gutter installation Park City UT, professional gutter cleaning near you, and gutter repair in UT for residential and commercial properties. RGM is dedicated to providing top-notch gutter services that safeguard your property and enhance its appearance and value.