Roof gutter installation on your home is necessary in many cases, but it’s not as simple as it looks. That’s why you might want to just leave it to the professionals. Making this a DIY project might save money upfront, but it can cost you later on down the road. Whether you go solo or hire professionals, avoid the mistakes laid out in the following paragraphs.
First of all, don’t pick the wrong kind of roof gutter. This is probably the biggest mistake anyone makes. A generic approach to choosing gutters never works because every home is different. Consider the size of your home, how the roof is pitched, and how much rainfall you get every year.
Secondly, don’t choose the wrong size of gutter. Standard gutters have specific dimensions, but things vary. If you have a steep roof pitch, you’ll collect more rainwater, so you need bigger gutters. Snow and ice volumes also matter. Ice dams can happen in colder climates. These can happen with snow that lands, melts, and refreezes at your roof’s edge.
Third, don’t space your gutter hangers too far from one another. This can result in sagging gutters. At most, you should have them hung no more than 3 feet apart. If you live in a colder climate where there’s a lot of ice and snow, then you might want to make your maximum only 2 feet.
Fourth, account properly for your roof pitch. It’s already been mentioned, but here’s why it matters! If your pitch is very steep, water is going to rush into your downspouts, where it’s likely to overflow. Conversely, if you have a low pitch angle, then water is going to pool in certain parts of your gutter. You could do the math, but a professional contractor can do it far more quickly and accurately.
Finally, make sure your downspouts are installed correctly. Don’t let them come out on your deck or patio. In fact, divert water at least 10 feet from the foundation of your home.
Hiring a roof gutter installation professional makes a lot of sense. For starters, they can do the work accurately, safely, and quickly. The measurements and mathematics involved can be very tricky, but they do it for a living and usually do it well.
For that matter, using professionals means you don’t have to get up on your own roof. It’s dangerous work, and without proper training, gear, and experience, you can risk hurting yourself or even dying.
Shop around for at least three quotes from different contractors, and use phone interviews to get a feel for who you are comfortable with. Online research and referrals from friends, family, and coworkers who have used roof gutter installation contractors is a great way to discover professionals in your community who are trusted resources.
Sure, you might do it on your own, but is saving the money worth how much time it takes to gather up all the supplies, learn every skill involved, perfect it, and do the work? Kick back and trust the professionals. To learn more, you can contact a roof repair contractor.