Seamless gutters aren't entirely seamless; they will be fitted to the eaves of
your home and what seams there are will be at the corners, covered up. Seamless
gutters have a few benefits over other, non-seamless options. For one, they look
better. On top of that, the lack of seams means fewer leaks and a longer
lifespan. Installing seamless gutters yourself will take a good deal more
effort, so consider hiring professionals to do it. If, however, you want to take
it on yourself, here are a few tips.
The first thing you'll need are the measurements of the eaves on
your house. Generally, contractors recommend a slope of anywhere from 1/4 inch
of slope for every ten feet to 1 inch for every sixteen feet. The slope should
send the water toward the downspout. You can use a line level (it hooks onto a
string) to see what the slope of your eaves is like now and how much you need to
alter the slope of the gutters. If there isn't enough slope as-is, you can use a
chalk line to mark a level line, measure the slope at one end, and mark that
with another chalk line.
Use the elbow joints you have to mark their
placement at the corners. Then, subtract 1/4 inch from each one to account for
the seams you'll put in to attach the gutters to them. This will be the length
of gutter you'll need to cut. Use heavy-duty tin snips and a square to make
straight lines, and cut from each side down to the bottom of the gutter. Then,
crease it and cut the bottom.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for
installing the brackets. Hanging brackets are especially nice for seamless
gutters, as they don't detract from the seamless aesthetic.
You will
have to cut out a hole in the gutter for the downspout using a drill and a
jigsaw. Use the connector piece as a guide and trace the outline of the hole you
need to cut. Then, drill starter holes in each corner of the outline and finish
by cutting it out with the saw and filing down the edges. Affix the connector
piece with some waterproof sealant (e.g., silicone) and some short screws.
Downspouts have two ends: tapered and non-tapered. When you are cutting
the pieces for your downspout, always cut the larger end, so that the tapered
end is available to connect to the next piece. When you install it, always have
the tapered ends facing down, or you will have leakage problems. Use short
screws to secure all your connections and follow the manufacturer's instructions
concerning brackets. Measure the length of your downspout by placing any elbow
joints where they should go first (including the one that will rest on the
ground).
Use the aluminum seam strips to cover any gaps in the gutters
on the outside and use a good amount of waterproof sealant on the inside to
avoid any leaks. Test your gutters with a hose, and you're done!