Step 1: Snap layout lines

Installing a gutter
Photo: Mary Beth Montgomery
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Mark the highest point of the gutter run on the fascia 1 ¼ inches below the metal drip-edge flashing (on the extra-wide fascia shown here, the gutter is lower down).

At the other end of the fascia (or at the downspout location if there's one in the middle of the run), mark the low end of the gutter run, keeping in mind that the slope should be approximately ½ inch for every 10 feet of run.

Snap a chalk line between the two points (as shown).

Tip: Check the fascia for rot — and make repairs if necessary — before installing the gutters.

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    Tools List

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

    Shopping List

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    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