Rain Gutters Made Easy!
Rain gutters are simple to install and turn your home into fantastic and efficient rainwater and snowmelt collector. Water is a valuable resource that might be scarce at times. Rooftops easily absorb rain and snow, but we can’t transport this freely available water to storage systems for later use without rain gutters.
About 13 years ago, I manufactured and installed my first set of aluminum rain gutters, and I’ve been quite pleased with how well they’ve worked and how long they’ve lasted. Rainwater is used to irrigating my garden and other plants around my house. Rainwater is free and helps me save money. I also enjoy how the rain gutters are designed.
This video demonstrates how to create rain gutters out of recycled aluminum panels and how to install them on a roof.
The First Step: Getting Started: Materials and Tools
Aluminum rain gutters can be made with only a few simple hand tools.
Tools:
Gloves \sRuler \sMarker
snips made of tin
a mallet made of rubber
A 2X4 block of wood works well.
Two boards are required, of any size…the longer the better.
Materials:
Aluminum roofing screws (used or new): 16 inches (42 cm) wide and 8 feet (2.4 m) long Aluminum panels (used or new): 16 inches (42 cm) wide and 8 feet (2.4 m) long
Silicon caulking in the hue of aluminium
When you’re about to make a mistake, an assistant (Photo 2) can help you grab your focus.
Step 2: Constructing a Rain Gutter
Begin with a sheet of metal. I had several salvaged panels that had a bad appearance but were in good overall shape. Color, dents, minor rips/holes, and other flaws are inconsequential because the panels are folded in half lengthwise, with the painted exterior hidden within the fold and the unpainted side now serving as the exterior. The rubber mallet is used to pound out dents and creases. Small holes and cracks can be filled if necessary. The larger, potentially deal-breaker rips in Photo 2 are nevertheless acceptable since the edge will be tucked and covered beneath the roof flashing. More about that in the section on installation.
Use the ruler to mark the centre of the panel at several positions throughout the length of the panel, as shown in Photo 3. Enlist assistance, like I did, to double-check your measurements.
Making the Supporting Straps (Step 3)
The rain gutter will then be supported by straps. This method is fairly similar to that of installing a rain gutter.
As seen in Photo 1, grab an aluminium panel (short ones work well for the straps) and draw a rectangle 4 inches (102 mm) wide by 20 inches (508 mm) long with the marker as shown in Photo 2. Cut out the rectangle with tin snips.
Pound out the dents and wrinkles with the mallet (Photo 3), then draw a line 1 inch (25 mm) from the left edge with the ruler and marker. Measure 2 inches (51 mm) from this line and draw a second line parallel to it. These two lines, as shown in Photo 4, are fold lines.
Step 4: Installation Preparation
To round the strap in preparation for installation, push the side with the folded edges against a tree branch or trunk, as shown in Photo 1. Apply gradual and even pressure as you go slowly and cautiously. The strap’s flattened edges make it easy to bend, but too much power will cause it to kink. Only one-half of the strap should be bent into a “J” shape, as seen in Photo 2.
Installation of Rain Gutters (Step 5)
Assuming your roof and flashing are in place, position the rain gutter edge under the roof flashing, then the J-shaped supporting strap beneath the gutter, as shown in Photo 1. Install a self-drilling aluminum roofing screw that pierces the flashing, gutter, and supporting strap and secures them (Photo 2 and 3). Install the remaining straps with a 2-foot spacing (61 cm). The peaks and valleys of your roof sheeting panels will define the exact spacing for metal-covered roofs. Always place the straps on the roof sheeting’s peaks.