Home How to install guttering

Begin by measuring the length of guttering and down pipe you require for the project. Choose from the extensive range of ladders available at HSS, and ensure you are able to reach the appropriate height making use of a ladder foot to keep the ladder stable. A ladder tray is also a handy accessory to have near to keep your tools within close reach. Alternatively, why not use a tower or make try powered access when working at height?

Step 1

At the side furthest from the drain, hold a gutter bracket against the fascia board in a position where, if the gutter wasn’t present, it would be just below the edge of the roof tiles. Mark the bracket fixing holes and fix one screw into the wood for the chalk line. Measure how far the screw is from the top or bottom of the board and attach the chalk line and move to the other end of the fascia board.

Step 2

Any gutter needs to have ‘fall’ to enable water to flow down it. The ‘fall’ only needs to be 3/16 (5mm) over a distance of 3ft (920mm) (If the gutter needs to be 16ft (4800mm) long it will need a fall of 1 inch). At the other end of the fascia board, hold another bracket in place, ensuring it is 1inch below the first clip position. Make sure you mark your fixing holes with a pencil.

Step 3

Now set up a line between the corresponding fixing holes. You now have a guide line for all of your gutter brackets, ensuring the ‘fall’ will be correct without any high spots that may cause water pool to form in the gutter.

Step 4

Fit the gutter in place (which should clip in) with appropriate stop ends, connectors and gutter outlet for the down pipe, cutting it to length with a hacksaw and removing any burrs with a half round file. You can double check the fall with the use of a spirit level.

Step 5

The downpipe should require a couple of offset bends fitting just below the gutter outlet so the pipe can be fixed against the wall. Similarly to the gutter, this can be cut easily with a hacksaw and deburred with a half round file. Starting from the highest point on the down pipe the brackets should be fixed to the wall using plugs and screws. Use a spirit level to ensure the down pipe is straight. The bottom of the down pipe may need one or two offset bends fitting to reach over the drain. If the down pipe does not push together, you may need to use a PVC adhesive designed specifically for joining lengths of the pipe together. Finally, make sure your pipe is cut to the correct length before applying any of the adhesive as it bonds together quickly. HSS Hire can offer full training for working at height safely.

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