How to Install a Rain Diverter on a Roof

A rainy day can be made much worse when gushing downpours appear over entryways or other high-traffic areas. Fortunately, diverting the rainwater flow from your roof can be accomplished with basic materials and straightforward installation. The process requires a rain diverter, which is an aluminum or other light metal shaped with a lip for water flow. By installing it beneath your shingles at a slight downward angle, you can control the flow of rainwater from your roof.

Utility knife
Ladder
Pry bar
Roofing nails
Roofing cement

Instructions

- 1
  Buy a rain diverter at a hardware supply store and read any accompanying installation instructions for specific tips.
- 2
  Cut the diverter down to 1 foot longer than the intended diversion area. This extra space is to avoid unwanted splashing within range of where the diverter will be installed. Make a longer piece if you want to divert the water farther away. Depending on the material it is composed of, you might be able to score the metal with scissors or a utility knife, and bend it until it breaks.
- 3
  Place the diverter over the intended area so it is centered.
- 4
  Using a pry bar, loosen the second row of shingles where the diverter will be installed. Use care to avoid breaking the shingles.
- 5
  Slide the diverter under the loosened shingles so the lip end is sticking up. Adjust the diverter to an appropriate angle so water will flow down as intended. For a diverter that is 6 feet long, a drop of about 1 inch is sufficient.
- 6
  Lift the shingles carefully so you can reach under and nail the diverter in place with roofing nails. Apply roofing cement to the nail heads to ensure security and press the shingles back down into place.
- 7
  Test your installation by spraying with a garden hose to see how the water flows.

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