Rookie Mistakes to Avoid During Gutter Installation

Installing gutters yourself may help you save on labor costs. However, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially if it’s your first time doing it. Even a minor mistake can end up causing serious damage to your home, costing you more money to repair than you would have spent on a gutter contractor in the first place.

Today, Gutter Helmet® of Eastern NY discusses some beginner mistakes that you should avoid during gutter installation.

Selecting the Wrong Type of Gutter

Gutters vary in size, material, style and gauge. Naturally, each type of gutter has its pros and cons, and the right product for you will depend on your home’s requirements. Choosing the wrong type of gutter for your home is a classic rookie mistake. Before purchasing a gutter system, consult a contractor or the hardware store.

K-style aluminum gutters that are five or six inches wide typically work well for residential homes. However, if you live in a rainy climate, you might want to check other options. For standard use, a 26-gauge gutter works fine, but for regions with extreme weather events, it’s better to choose 32 gauge.

Too Many Seams

It’s best to make as few welds as possible because seams in the gutters can deteriorate over time due to extreme temperatures, force and water exposure. This can lead to total gutter failure.

To avoid this problem, we recommend installing seamless gutters rather than sectional ones. Because of the lack of joints, seamless replacement gutters are more leak-resistant than sectional gutters.

Inaccurately Calculating the Pitch

Gutters need to have a slight pitch to enable water to flow toward the downspouts. This is usually a one to two-inch decline for every 40 feet of length, which is fairly subtle. Failure to calculate the pitch correctly can lead to issues with your gutters and potential water damage to your home.

Gutter Helmet of Eastern NY provides high-quality heated gutters and seamless gutters. While you can always go the DIY route, investing in the professional aid of an experienced gutter contractor is the best way to ensure the long-term performance of your new system. Call us at (866) 252-9400 or fill out our contact form to request a free consultation.