The guttering is an essential part of your home’s drainage system and, as such, it needs to be kept in tip top condition.  If your gutters are looking the worse for wear, they will need to be replaced.  If you are at all handy, you may be able to do this yourself, so we’ve put together this how to to get you started. Read on for more.

Why Would Guttering Need to be Replaced?

Guttering can need replacing for a number of reasons.  Some of the most common include the gutter:

• Rusting through, due to standing water or moist debris
• Becoming leaky
• Pulling away from the roof or sagging
• Fading or otherwise looking old
• Becoming dented or damaged due to rough weather

The Process of Replacing Guttering

Replacing a gutter or a section of gutter can be a tricky process but it is one that can be done by an accomplished DIYer.  In fact, it can make a good weekend project!  The first thing you will need to do is to gather all the tools and equipment that you need.  These include safety gear, new gutter sections and gutter fixings, new fascia boards, hacksaws and circular saws, tape measures, and so on.  Once you have all this, you can start by cleaning out your old gutters thoroughly and then removing them.  You will then need to look at the fascia boards near the guttering. If they are water damaged at all, you will need to replace them. This is easily done by using the old boards as a template and then cutting the new fascia boards to size.  You can then install the new fascia boards, and paint them.  Alternatively, you can install new metal fascias.  While the fascia boards are drying, you will need to measure up the new guttering.  Don’t forget to account for the downpipes, and make sure that the guttering will slope appropriately, so that water cannot pool inside the new guttering.  Attach the guttering or section of gutter using gutter clips, screws, and brackets.  Make sure that the downpipes are securely fitted within the guttering and that the join is well sealed using silicone.  Also seal any other joins within the guttering so that there cannot be any leaks.  Finally, it is a good idea to install a good gutter guard, to keep your new gutters in good condition for as long as possible.

Know When to Call in the Professionals

While it can be possible to replace your guttering or sections of your guttering yourself, if you are not confident with what you are doing, or find yourself in difficulty, you should call in a professional.  This is important as guttering that is incorrectly installed can lead to a whole host of further problems and actually cause more damage to your home than your old gutters would have.

If you are calling in a professional, make sure to ask them what licensing, experience, and qualifications they have. They should also be fully licensed, in case of anything going wrong.  You should also ask them what materials they will be using, what their charges are and how long they expect to take to finish the job.