How to Extend Gutter Runs Without Taking Them Down

Gutters offer the convenience of directing rain runoff away from windows and doors, while helping to protect the home's foundation. Where water pools against a house, the water can seep into the foundation and, if the home features a basement, can leak through small cracks in the walls. That's why gutter runs should extend across the entire length of the roofline. The existing gutter runs can be extended without removing them. But you will have to cut away the end of the run, to accommodate the extension.

Pry bar
Wood spacer
Hacksaw
Measuring tape
Wire brush
Rag
Silicone caulking
Caulking gun
Gutter hangers
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the gutter hanger closest to the end of the gutter run. A gutter hanger looks like a large nail, and secures the gutter to the home’s fascia. Pull the hanger out of the gutter run with a pry bar.
- 2
  Insert a wood spacer between the end of the gutter and the home’s fascia. The wood spacer will reduce the chance of cutting into the roof of the house, when cutting through the gutter run.
- 3
  Cut away the end of the gutter run with a hacksaw.
- 4
  Measure the distance between the cut end of the gutter run and the point at which you want to extend the run with a measuring tape. Then add 2 inches to this measurement -- necessary to fit the new gutter piece into the existing piece.
- 5
  Cut a new gutter piece to the measured distance, using the hacksaw.
- 6
  Remove any dirt or debris from the interior end of the gutter run attached to the house, with a wire brush and a rag.
- 7
  Apply a bead of silicone caulking to the interior end of the existing gutter run, with a caulking gun.
- 8
  Insert the extra 2 inches of the cut end of the new gutter piece into the existing gutter run. Then press the new piece onto the caulking.
- 9
  Drive gutter hangers through the gutter run and into the home’s fascia, with a hammer.

How to Remove Mildew and Algae From Wood Siding

How to Install Bird Stoppers in the Eaves of a House

Exterior Home Repair