There’s an old adage that says, “fake it till you make it.” This can definitely work when trying to remember the name of a new acquaintance standing in front of you. Those with improv skills can even come up with a reasonable answer to a question when they’ve zoned out on a conference call and are suddenly asked to weigh in with meaningful feedback. One area we’ve yet to see a homeowner bluff their way through is first-time gutter installation. Simply put, there are too many areas where a detrimental mistake can be made, which is why our LeafGuard® installers perform this type of work full-time. There’s rarely a scenario they can’t tackle or a type of home that’s new to them. They definitely know better than to make these common DIY rain gutter installation mistakes.
Incorrect Slope Causes More Clogs
Gutters that are installed perfectly parallel result in standing water. For water to correctly exit the gutters and be dispersed away from your home, the gutters must be installed at a gradual slope sufficient to move both the water and debris. This skill is learned and takes practice. A weekend warrior is highly unlikely to achieve perfect slope on their first attempt.
Fear of Falling
Our team utilizes safety gear and scaffolding to complete their task. Attempting to install your own gutters from a ladder poses a serious fall hazard that could land you in the emergency room or worse.
Material Length and Transportation
Homeowners often marvel at how neat it is to watch their gutters being manufactured on-site and custom-made for their home. An unsung perk of this approach is skipping the hauling of long lengths of gutters, which can quickly become too sizable to easily haul in a pick-up truck. If a homeowner opts to buy their own gutters from a big box store, they’ll likely be forced to purchase small lengths in order to fit in their vehicle. This presents a problem because more lengths of gutters equates to more seams which are likely to leak.
Correct Support Provides Stability and Protection
Brackets must be installed in order for the gutters on your house to remain secure and intact – they also provide functionality. Without them, your drainage system is prone to severe water damage and won’t work properly. The formula for the number of brackets and spacing between them is reliant on the gutter’s weight and overall size. Amateurs often fail at this portion of the DIY gutter install and end up with sagging or rain gutters that pull away from the home.
Trusted Gutter Replacement Experts
Our team of experts have been improving homes and providing customers with the finest products in the Midwest for over 40 years. Before deciding whether you want to tackle a DIY gutter installation project, consider consulting LeafGuard® of Cincinnati by calling 513-512-4064 today.