Rain Gutter Installation

Make a mark at either side of your house half an inch down from your roof. Have a helper assist you in stretching a chalk line from one mark to the either. Hold a level up to the line and make sure it is level.

Measure the distance of your wall you are putting gutters on, and for every 10 feet, you will lower the mark on the side with the downspout by five eights of an inch. Lowering the mark that much creates the right amount of slope for the water to flow out of the gutters efficiently.

Hold your chalk line from the original mark on the side of the building without the downspout, and on the new, lower mark on the downspout side of the house and snap a line against the wall. This is your guide to make sure the gutters are going in the right direction.

Run the sections of gutter across the roof attaching the pieces together with your gutter connectors. Use a power drill to attach the sections of gutters to the house with the galvanized screws. Run a bead of caulk at the seam of each of the connections between the gutters to prevent water from leaking.

Use a hacksaw to shorten any of the gutter sections that are too long. Usually this is only required at the end of a run or on a corner. Add the connection for the downspout at the end and mount the downspout to the side of your home using a set of mounting brackets. Caulk all of the seams for waterproofing and you have a functioning gutter.

Give the caulk time to dry and slowly pour water into your gutter to test it to see if it has a water tight seal. If not, add more caulk and test it again.