Is installing gutters hard work?

Gutter installation requires a lot of climbing up and down ladders and using power tools. It can be very dangerous to climb ladders, especially if you are trying to carefully maneuver gutters and other materials. A well-installed rain gutter protects a home and its foundation from water that could seep into the walls or pool on the ground and cause damage. Over time, a gutter may wear out or get damaged, putting your house at risk.

Gutter replacement is not considered as difficult a task as some home improvement jobs can be, so many homeowners choose to go the DIY route. While there are some advantages to replacing a gutter on your own, a professional installation is also worth considering and in most cases, advised. Installing a gutter on your own can cost less than hiring a professional, but if the gutters are installed at the wrong pitch or are the wrong style for your house or region, structural damage could occur to the house over time. Many homeowners clean out their own gutters, which also inclines them to want to replace old gutters themselves.

A second pair of eyes can also come in handy to measure the pitch on both ends of the gutter as it’s being adjusted before placement. The challenge with a gutter replacement is that homeowners will need to be comfortable not only climbing the ladder but also holding materials and working at that height. Installing rain gutters isn’t as cut and dried as it seems, but it helps to be familiar with how gutters are carefully installed to encourage water flow away from the house. Initially, it may seem more cost-effective to buy the materials on your own, but it could end up costing more than what a gutter company would charge.

Doing a gutter replacement on your own may not save money in the long run if the wrong materials are purchased, the new gutters leak, or someone is injured by falling off a ladder. Extra care is needed to ensure the gutters are properly measured, pitched, and installed to prevent future water damage. Some homes have multiple roof levels, steep pitches, or a lot of linear square feet on which to install a gutter. Tackling a gutter replacement can require special equipment rental, and it will require caution when working on a ladder or roof.

In most cases, it’s recommended to prioritize homeowner safety and structural integrity of the house by having a professional company complete a gutter replacement. These pros will know how to securely fasten the gutter to the house using hooks or fasteners to make sure it withstands heavy rainfall, strong winds, or snow and ice. A pro installation company usually buys gutter installation parts in bulk to get wholesale pricing cheaper than a homeowner can. DIY gutter replacement can be a fun and challenging task for many homeowners who are familiar with more technical work and operating on ladders.

On average, most homeowners with an average-size home can install their own gutters in a day or less if they have all the materials and equipment. The top four factors to consider when choosing new gutters are house size, roof pitch, yearly amount of rainfall, and mounting options.

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