When it comes to renovations that boost curb appeal, installing new gutters is a good choice. It can improve the resale value of your house should you be selling in the future. In the present, upgrading the gutter system enhances your home’s exterior, making it look stylish and welcoming. But gutter installations can be tricky. Here are some things to consider before you DIY.
Take a good look at the roof.
Before you decide to DIY, take a good look at the roof. A large house has a large roof which translates into a lot of water running down and entering the rain gutters. A professional gutter installation company should install new gutters for you when:
- A continuous gutter run is longer than 12.2 metres (40 feet)
- There are multiple rooflines
- An upper gutter drains into a lower gutter
- Rooflines channel a lot of water into a short gutter section
- The configuration of the roof is complicated and parts of the roof will be difficult to access during a gutter installation
You like the appearance of seamless gutters.
There are several benefits to seamless aluminum gutters, including fewer seams resulting in less maintenance than sectional gutters. If you like the appearance of seamless gutters, they aren’t a DIY project. Professional gutter installation companies produce a seamless gutter system on-site using a gutter roll forming machine.
Match level of difficulty to your DIY skills.
In terms of difficulty, gutter installations range from intermediate to complicated. Taking the gutter material you will be working with into account, you need to correctly measure, pitch, and install the gutters. This will involve making calculations, using formulas, and applying the appropriate techniques for the type of gutters and downspouts you are planning to install. If you have 80% of the skills required but will not have someone to help you who has already done a gutter installation, hire a professional gutter installer.
You will need the right equipment and tools.
Will installing your new gutters require special equipment and tools you will need to rent, borrow, or buy? If your house is more than two storeys or it is a two-storeys with a large or complex roof, you might need scaffolding. For gutter installations that require walking on the roof, especially if the roof has multiple levels or a steep pitch, safety equipment such as a safety harness is a must.
You have a love-hate relationship with heights.
Fear of heights is common even for DIYers. Gritting your teeth while you’re on a ladder swapping out the old light fixture for a new chandelier might not be the best strategy for powering through a DIY gutter installation. Even if you don’t have acrophobia, working from a ladder, moving gutters sections into place or having to access the roof during the installation process could make you feel unconfident and unsafe. A professional gutter installer will have the experience and necessary skills to work from a ladder safely and confidently.
You have the time.
You might think you can install the gutters over a long-weekend – the average time it takes for a DIY gutter installation is a day when all the materials and equipment are to hand. But it’s not just the actual work you have to make time for. A gutter installation requires planning; selecting a gutter system suitable to the size and design of your home; buying the materials; and ensuring you have the necessary tools and equipment. If small to medium or short-term DIY projects are easy for you to complete but you have a habit of getting distracted or interrupted during more complex do-it-yourself projects, hiring someone could be more cost-effective.
