How Far Apart Should Gutter Hangers Be Installed?
Today’s home improvement market is overflowing with tools, resources and innovative ideas. That’s why it’s never been a better time to be a professional developer, homebuilder or DIYer. With so many resources available at your fingertips, it’s tempting to believe that you can accomplish almost anything in the home development space. But home improvement isn’t a hobby, and often requires the experience of a professional.
For instance, installing a gutter takes a particular set of knowledge and training. That’s why we’ve taken the time to create a comprehensive guide to gutters and how to install them.
Let’s start by answering the title question right off of the bat: gutter hangers should be no more than three feet apart. This is dependent on many factors, including your location, climate and specific gutters. Read on to determine the ins and outs of rain gutters and how to properly hang them from your roof.
Why Are Gutters Beneficial to a Home?
Most people know what gutters are and why they’re helpful, but for those who aren’t familiar with the term, gutters collect rainwater and channel the runoff away from a roof.
You’ll find them in various colors, styles and materials. Because they’re installed outdoors, they must be durable enough to withstand the harshest weather conditions. That’s why you’ll often find them made from aluminum and other sturdy materials.
The ultimate purpose of a gutter is to protect a home from rainwater, which is necessary because excess rainwater and moisture can wreak havoc on a home’s foundation as well as its outer and inner walls. Too much moisture is not a good thing, even in dry climates.
Gutters divert the water away from a home, so it doesn’t harm garden beds, leak into basements or crawl spaces or weaken the structural foundation. They also help reduce a window’s exposure to excess moisture, which can damage windowsills and interior walls.
How to Install Gutters on a Home
Gutter installation entails several specific steps. First, you have to be able to gather pitch measurements and calculate the slope of a roof. You also need to determine the best placement for your gutters. Once you’re ready to start the installation, you also need to figure out where to place your gutter hangers.
What Are Gutter Hangers?
Gutter hangers are a vital part of the gutter installation process because they hold the gutters in place. Without them, there would be no way to attach gutters to a home. In addition, the distance between gutter hangers also determines how much water a gutter can safely collect and divert. This is because gutter hangers serve as the weight-bearing support system of the gutter, meaning that the shorter the distance is between gutter hangers the more water it can likely hold. The overall size of the gutter is also important when determining its maximum capacity as well.
There are many different types of gutter hangers, including spikes, ferrules, brackets, straps and hidden hangers. They also come in various materials, including copper, galvanized steel and aluminum.
5 Tips for Installing Gutters on a Home
From choosing the proper gutters to determining hanger placement, understanding how to install gutters is much more complex than you might think. Here are five gutter installation tips from the experts that might simplify the process:
1. Choose the Right Gutters
When you start shopping for gutters, you might be surprised to learn how many options are available on the market. As a building product expert, we recommend choosing a gutter material with high durability ratings and low maintenance requirements. No matter the gutter type chosen, the best option should be durable, low-maintenance and well within your budget.
2. Slope Calculation
The primary purpose of a gutter is to catch the rain runoff from the roof, so it’s vital to calculate the slope of the roof accurately. The slope calculation helps determine the trajectory of the rainwater, which enables you to position the gutter to catch and divert the water correctly. An incorrect or imprecise slope calculation can ruin the gutter’s ability to function, so check your local building codes to ensure that your gutters meet the necessary requirements.
3. Gutter Placement
Most people assume that gutters should be placed right next to the roofline, but that’s incorrect. Rainwater sometimes pulls back beneath the underside of the roof. So, gutters are usually installed with the flat back piece behind the roof edge so water is directed into the gutter.
4. Hanger Spacing
Determining the hanger spacing is often determined by location and local climate. If you live in a warm area with less rain, then you should install your gutter hangers near the middle of the gutter every 24 inches or where there is a rafter. For rainy or snowy climates, you should install the gutter hangers closer together, no more than 18 inches apart.
5. Flashing Installation
Finally, you need to install a roof edge. Roof edges will stop water from getting behind the gutters and prevent damage to fascia boards and exterior walls. Make sure that the gutter is behind the roof edge, so the water can be directed into the gutter. For the best results, you should slide the roof edge beneath the shingles and roofing paper to prevent any excess water flow.
Alsco Aluminum Gutter Hangers Deliver Supreme Quality and Functionality
Affordability, low maintenance and durability are today’s priorities for all homeowners. Here at Alsco Metals, we offer aluminum gutter hangers that fit the needs of homeowners while also being cost-friendly.
Contact us today to locate a supplier near you or speak with one of our expert customer service professionals for assistance on your next project.