How to Install Rain Gutters

By: Joseph Truini, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. GUTTERS

2. FASCIA GUTTER BRACKETS

3. DOWNSPOUTS

4. DOWNSPOUT OUTLETS
used to join gutter to downspout

5. DOWNSPOUT ELBOWS

6. DOWNSPOUT BRACKETS

7. SPHERICAL END CAPS

8. 1/4-INCH-DIAMETER STAINLESS STEEL LAG SCREWS
long enough to penetrate rafter tails 2 inches

9. 3-INCH-WIDE ALUMINUM STRIP
to form a strip-miter joint at gutter corners; available from gutter manufacturer

10. 3/8-INCH-LONG, SELF-TAPPING, HEX-HEAD STAINLESS SCREWS
if using drill/driver to join together gutter sections and end caps

11. 1/8-INCH-DIAMETER x 1/4-INCH-LONG ALUMINUM RIVETS
if using pop rivet gun to join together gutter sections and end caps

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Hacksaw,
  for cutting gutters and downspouts to length
- Drill/driver with nut driver,
  for driving self-tapping, hex-head stainless screws
- Pop-rivet gun,
  used instead of drill/driver and screws to join gutter sections and end caps
- Aviation snips,
  left- and right-handed versions used to cut gutters and trim aluminum strip miters
- Electric drill with 4-inch-diameter hole saw,
  for cutting holes in gutter for downspout outlet
- Chalk line,
  for snapping gutter layout lines on fascia
- 12-inch power miter saw with carbide-tipped finish blade,
  to cut gutters and downspouts to length
- Ratchet wrench with 7/16-inch socket,
  for attaching fascia brackets to house
- Assorted twist drill bits
- Needlenose pliers
- Tape measure
- Ladders with ladder brackets and aluminum scaffold plank,
  all can be rented
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Photo: Mary Beth Montgomery

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9

6 to 8 hours
$2 to $6 per linear foot, average. (Over $20 for copper).

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

For homes in most regions of the country, rain gutters and downspouts are necessary to collect and carry away rainwater. Without them, water would erode the soil around the foundation, splash dirt onto the siding and likely leak into the basement or crawlspace.

Gutters are most often installed by professionals, but there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself. The all the materials and accessories are readily available at home centers, lumberyards and through roofing-supply firms. And if you’re going to replace your gutters and downspouts, you may as well upgrade the entire look and performance of the rainwater system.

Here, we’ll show how to install reproduction half-round gutters that are exact replicas of the size and style gutters found on older homes. This system features corrugated downspouts and decorative cast-aluminum brackets.