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Step one – choose your gutters
The type of gutter profile you’ll require for your build will largely depend on the style and age of your property, and the look you want to achieve.
Half-round gutters are a good fit for most buildings, whereas period or heritage properties often benefit from the traditional S-curved ogee gutters. If you’re working on a refurbishment project, it’s a good idea to consider a deep gutter that will hold more water. There is plenty of choice when it comes to guttering materials, too – from aluminium and plastic to cast iron, stainless steel and copper.
Buying online is a great way to browse the different options and compare the pros and cons before you make a purchase.
Step two – measure up!
A gutter that’s too small will block easily and spill water out, while a system that’s too big will look bulky and unattractive.
To work out the size of guttering system you need, begin by measuring the area of your roof. You can generally calculate the square footage by using a tape measure and if you’ve got a gable-end roof, you really only need to know the measurements of each slope. A more complex roofing structure will take longer to measure as you’ll need to find out the surface area of each individual surface.
You must factor in the pitch of your roof, too. The steeper the roof, the more rainwater the guttering will need to catch.
Gutters should be installed with a fall, with a fall being an amount by which the gutter drops to allow water to drain away. This is usually at a ratio of 1:500 meaning that for every 5m of guttering, the gutter falls 20mm. This is to ensure water can drain into the downpipe and doesn’t stagnate.
Step 3 – check and clean
A good guttering system can last between 20 and 50 years, but it needs to be well looked after during that time. We recommend inspecting your guttering at least twice a year.
It’s important to check the downpipe for any blockages, as it’s common for leaves and general debris to accumulate here. You’ll also need to check that the joints haven’t become weak and that there’s no corrosion hidden under rust or gutter debris.
Regular inspections are also a good opportunity to monitor the outlet capacity. If this is an issue, you’ll notice the guttering system is failing to drain efficiently or over spilling due to the volume of water. If you’re getting a constant build up of debris or are experiencing problems with insect infestation, a gutter guard could help. These guards are placed above or into the gutter and prevent leaves and big items of debris from entering the guttering system.
As they are not visible from the ground, gutter guards won’t compromise the aesthetic look of your property, they are inexpensive and can be a great help in reducing detritus that can build up in gutters.
If you are ready to replace your gutters or need help choosing a design for your self-build product, simply visit the website below to browse our full range of products and get help and advice from our friendly team of customer advisors.
