How to on Gutters? Have you done it ? How do I get started.?

Question

40 ft. of gutter across the front of house. Same for back. Lowes wanted $400 for just the front for seamless gutters. That is way out of budget. So I know I need gutters/drain pipe.... and I need to know how. And how hard for a first timer?

Answer 1

If the prep work is already done (i.e. facia board, rafters prepared, etc if necesary), then you will probably looking at around $200 for material.  That includes four 10' foot aluminum or steal gutters, end pieces, connectors, down spout connectors, down spouts, hardware and adhesive.  You may get away with two  3" X 4" down spouts one at each corner of the span depending on how much it rains and pitch of the roof.  If you decide to go with the 2X3 you may need 3 down spouts.  I am assuming that you will only need one length of down spout.  They are either 8 or 10 feet long.

As far as how easy the installation will be.  That depends on how many turns the gutters will make, your skill at cutting. skill at s******g, skill at using adhesive (caulk like) and skill at measuring.  The minimum grade for 10 foot run of guttering is 1/8 of an inch.  You can increase that depending on your application, average rainfall intensity, drainspout size, astetics, whether you use 5 inch or 6inch gutters etc.  typically it is reccommended that you put the lip of the gutter underneath edge of the drip edge (metal edging under shingles) of the roof.  If that is not possible you can get drip edge extensions from lowes or home depot. The extensions would go over the gutter lip and under the drip edge.

The vinyl guttering could be cheaper but then you can never paint it.  I think it comes mainly in white.  Check with your doityourself store for more information on vinyl gutters.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

no too hard just by length of gutter have a friend with you to help remove old gutter and install new gutter approximately 1 inch from shingle on one end and around inch and half in middle and 2 inch on far end if you have a chalk line use it just make sure the run of water is gradual and gutter is straight in line so as to not get pooling in the middle have a cordless driver and fasten clips along  it is fairly easy yet the parts will cost you like 180 or so and you and a friend it will take like 4 hours so lowes price is pretty fair by the sounds of it gl though you can do it for sure

Answer 3

What Eric said!!!

Answer 4

Not all that hard but have someone else to help you, on a second ladder. Lengths of gutter are floppy and hard to handle for one person. I did it by myself but spent a lot of time cursing and sweating and doing almost impossible things while on a ladder. I have installed vinyl and metal and would vote for the vinyl as being easiest to work with though it's pricier, mostly because while the gutter itself is cheap, the connectors seem expensive. You can't slice your hand open on vinyl, or dent it while you're handling it, both of which are very easy to do with metal. Just make sure you measure and mark very carefully to get the correct slope or all your work will be in vain.