How to Install Rain Gutters With Hidden Connectors

Assemble rain gutters and cut downspout holes while gutters are still on the ground, where it’s much easier to work. Overlap gutter seams by 2 to 4 inches, then seal and rivet them. Try to leave factory-cut ends on the outside when possible, but lap seams, so the inside section faces downhill for good flow. Where a gutter ends, cut it about 1 inch past the end of the fascia board to catch water from shingles overhead, then attach, seal and rivet an end cap.

Climb the ladder to mark the gutter slope along the roofline. Drive in a nail one-half inch below the roof shingles on the high end of a gutter run. Measure the distance from this nail to the bottom of the fascia board. Subtract one-fourth inch for every 10 feet of gutter. At the low end of the run, measure and mark this point and drive in another nail. Stretch a chalk line between the two nails. Check the slope with a level; the bubble should be slightly off-center, toward the high side. Snap the chalk line to mark the correct slope.

Attach metal gutter flashing to protect both your fascia and soffit from water damage. Flashing will act like an apron and keep water from running behind your gutters. Slide the flashing under the roof shingles and attach it every 2 feet with 1-inch roofing nails. Overlap flashing sections by at least 2 inches.

Slip hidden hangers into place on your rain gutters every 12 to 24 inches, as needed. Hang them over the front lip of the gutter. Although they are designed to also slip over the back lip, that edge will be covered with flashing. Instead, hold the gutters in place -- having an assistant will help -- and drive the screws through the gutter hanger, flashing and gutter back into the fascia board. Spin the large screws on your drill at high speed until they bite into the metal, then drive them through the metal and solidly into the fascia board.

Finish by cutting in downspout outlets with the offset tin snips and attaching the elbows. Crimped ends of elbows and downspout tubes should face down, so water won’t leak out of the joints. Use quarter-inch hex head sheet metal screws to attach elbows and tubing, so you can take downspouts apart to clean them out if needed.