How To Fit Guttering: Step-by-Step Guide

Guttering is an essential part of your home’s drainage system, protecting your roof, walls, and foundation from water damage by channelling rainwater away. Whether you’re installing new gutters or replacing old ones, ensuring proper installation is key to making sure your gutters perform effectively for years. This guide will provide you with a clear, step-by-step approach on how to fit guttering, providing expert tips and insider tricks to guarantee a smooth and successful installation.

How to Fit Guttering – Planning and Preparation

Plan the Layout

Firstly, carefully map out the layout of your guttering system to determine the number of gutter sections, gutter brackets, fascia brackets, and other components you will need. A well-planned layout ensures a smooth installation process and reduces the risk of mistakes.

Choose the Right Guttering

Before starting your gutter installation project, you need to select the appropriate type of guttering. Standard PVC half-round guttering is suitable for most homes due to its lightweight nature and ease of handling. However, if you live in an area prone to heavy rainfall or have a large roof, consider using high-capacity guttering for better water management. Alternatively, lightweight cast iron-effect guttering can give a traditional look without the weight of cast iron.

Remove Existing Guttering

If you’re replacing old guttering, removing it first is essential. PVCu guttering is generally easy to remove due to its light weight, but cast iron guttering can be much heavier. In such cases, ask for assistance to safely dismantle and dispose of the old system.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Gutter sections (usually 2m or 4m lengths)
• Downpipes for directing rainwater to the ground
• Gutter bracket components: fascia brackets and union brackets
• Running outlet and gutter outlet
• Hacksaw for cutting gutter sections
• Silicone spray for gutter seals
• Spirit level, plumb bob, and straight edge
• Cordless screwdriver and drill
• Wall plugs and screws appropriate for your wall type
• Downpipe clips for securing the downpipe
• Downpipe socket for joining sections of pipe
• Downpipe shoe (if necessary) for directing water to the drain
• Safety gear: goggles and gloves

How To Fit Guttering

1. Marking and Positioning the Outlet

First, determine the position of the running outlet, which will guide the flow of rainwater from the gutters to the downpipe. Using a plumb bob, mark the location of the outlet directly over the drain where you want the water to flow. Ensure the outlet is positioned no more than 50mm below the roof level.

Once the outlet is positioned, drill small pilot holes into the fascia board and secure the outlet with screws. Avoid over-tightening, because this can damage the fascia board or deform the guttering components.

2. Setting the Fall

Next, set the fall for your guttering system. For the system to function correctly, the water needs to flow toward the outlet, requiring a slight fall in the gutter. The ideal fall is about 3mm per metre of guttering.

• From the outlet, measure 100mm from the opposite end of the fascia board and position a fascia bracket. This bracket should be slightly higher than the outlet to allow for the correct slope.
• If, for instance, your outlet is in the middle of the fascia board, repeat this process on both sides of the outlet.
• Tie a string or brick line between the fascia bracket and the outlet, and use a spirit level to ensure that the string has a consistent fall of 3mm per metre towards the outlet.

3. Installing the Fascia Brackets

Once you have established the slope, proceed to install the remaining fascia brackets. These should be spaced no more than 1 metre apart to provide sufficient support for the gutter sections. Be sure to place fascia brackets no more than 150mm from any angle or stopend to ensure the system’s stability.

Drill small pilot holes for each bracket and secure them with screws. Make sure the brackets are just touching the string line to maintain an even fall along the gutter run.

4. Fitting the Gutter Sections

Now that the brackets are in place, it’s time to start installing the gutter sections.

• Begin at the outlet and work toward the highest point of the gutter run.
• Apply a silicone spray lubricant to the gutter seals before fitting the first length of gutter. This will ensure an easier fit and allow for expansion and contraction.
• Tilt the gutter section so it fits under the back clip of the fascia brackets, and then snap it into place at the front.
• At the end of each gutter section, fit a union bracket. Screw the union bracket into the fascia board, ensuring it aligns properly with the insertion depth marks on the gutter fittings.
• Continue adding sections of gutter, joining each one with a union bracket and making sure the joints line up correctly to prevent leaks.

5. Cutting the Final Gutter Section

Once you have installed most of the gutter sections, measure the remaining gap to the fascia board. Use a hacksaw to cut a final piece of gutter to the correct length. Be sure to de-burr the cut edges using sandpaper or a file to ensure a smooth finish.

Install an external stop end to finish the gutter run.

Installing the Downpipe

After the gutter sections are in place, it’s time to fit the downpipe.

1. Mark the Downpipe Path

Begin by identifying the exact location for the downpipe. Hang a plumb bob from the gutter outlet straight down toward the drain, ensuring it lines up correctly. Use this as a reference to mark key points along the wall where the downpipe will be installed.

2. Draw the Centre Line

Next, use a straight edge to connect the marked points, creating a continuous vertical line. This line will serve as the central guide for accurately positioning the downpipe.

3. Plan the Offset (If Needed)

To adjust the downpipe away from the wall or bypass any obstacles, consider using an adjustable offset bend or connecting two offset bends with a small section of pipe. Ensure you leave a 6mm gap at the top of the downpipe to accommodate for any expansion.

4. Position the Downpipe Clips

Begin at the top of the wall by positioning the first downpipe clip centrally along the pencil line. Use a pencil to mark the spots for the fixing holes. If you’re using offset bends, make sure to place the clip just below the bend to secure it effectively.

5. Space the Clips Appropriately

Continue marking positions for additional clips, ensuring there are no more than 1.8 meters between them. Sufficient spacing ensures the downpipe is secure and evenly supported along its length.

6. Drill Holes and Insert Wall Plugs

Using the recommended drill bit size from the manufacturer, drill holes where you’ve marked for the pipe clips. Insert wall plugs into each hole to provide secure mounting points for the clips.

7. Fit the First Section of the Downpipe

Starting from the outlet of the gutter, attach the first length of the downpipe. Ensure it aligns with your vertical guideline.

8. Join Additional Sections

Should you find yourself needing to join multiple pipe sections, use a downpipe pipe socket. Ensure there is a 10mm gap between the pipe end and the socket to allow for expansion due to temperature changes. Fasten the joint by fitting a pipe clip over the socket.

9. Continue Attaching Clips

As you work your way down the wall, continue attaching the downpipe using the clips at each of your pre-marked points. Ensure the pipe remains centred and secure.

10. Fit a Downpipe Shoe (If Necessary)

Finally, if required, install a downpipe shoe at the bottom to direct water flow into the drain. Fix it in place by attaching a downpipe clip directly beneath the shoe socket.

Final Checks and Maintenance

Once the installation is complete, check all the joints and connections to ensure everything is secure. If you followed these steps on how to fit guttering, your system should be functioning smoothly, but it’s a good idea to pour water into the gutters to confirm there are no leaks or blockages.

To maintain your guttering system, regularly clean out leaves and debris to prevent blockages. If you live in an area with heavy leaf fall, consider installing a leaf guard. After periods of extreme weather, inspect your gutters and brackets for any signs of damage.

For homes with lighter-coloured gutters, occasional washing with soapy water may be required to keep them looking clean.

How to Fit Guttering – Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to fit guttering is essential for any homeowner. Installing guttering, be it cast-iron or plastic guttering, may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right tools, a bit of patience, and the step-by-step guidance provided in this guide, you can successfully install a functional and aesthetically pleasing gutter system for your home.

Remember, carefully measuring and planning your layout before installation will ensure proper water flow and prevent potential issues down the line. Take your time with each step, from cutting and assembling the gutter sections to securely fastening them in place and ensuring all joints are watertight.

Safety should always be a priority, so make sure to use appropriate protective gear and follow best practices when working at heights. Regular maintenance is also key to prolonging the life of your gutters, so inspect them periodically for any signs of wear or blockages and address issues promptly.