Rain gutters should be positioned so that they extend beyond the eaves of a roof to catch rain and hail that falls. Gutters are placed on all sides of a house along the edge of the roof. To ensure that the gutters drain properly, make sure they are tilted (½ inch per 10 feet) toward a downspout. For gutters larger than 40 feet, it is best to tilt the gutter down from the center to a downspout at each end.
Or, you can tilt the gutters downward from each end to a single downspout placed in the center of the duct. Determine what works best for your home before ordering gutters and accessories. An example of a rain gutter system for a typical house is shown (below). Record the length of the sections of the rain gutter and mark the locations of the downspouts.
Next, count the inner and outer corners and the end caps (see if they are right or left ends). Measure the height of the downspouts and add four feet to each for the extension away from the house at the bottom. Do I need gutters around the entire house? The gutters are attached to one or more downspouts that carry water to the ground. Downspouts are usually placed near a corner of the house at the steepest angle to allow runoff.
They are designed to keep water away from the sides of the house. Always decide the position of your downspout beforehand. This way, you'll know exactly in which direction the gutters should be tilted. If you're deciding to repair or replace your own gutter system, here are some essential tips on how to install gutters.
