How To Measure for Gutters

If your gutters are sagging or are not doing a good job of channeling water toward your downspouts or if they just look bad it may be time for new gutters. If you climb a ladder and see standing water in your gutters and yet there are no blockages then you are probably nearing the time when it is time to make a change. If this is the case, then you have to measure for new gutters. This can be a little frustrating at times. You don't have to be a do-it-yourself home improvement expert to do this but there are a few pointers that you might want to keep in mind.

Anytime you are going to be climbing a ladder toward your roof you will want to make sure that you are taking every safety precaution that you can. Do no place your ladder on uneven ground. It may seem OK when you are on the lower steps but the higher you climb the more unstable the ladder will become. The last thing that you will want is for your ladder to tip over while you are on it. This is not very good for your health. If you want to be doubly safe you might want to have someone hold the base of the ladder as you climb it.

The measuring part of the process is fairly easy. Simply measure the gutters that you currently have in place. Measure each individual section and write these numbers down on a piece of paper. Move the ladder around the house as you go. It involves a lot of climbing up and down the ladder.

Once you have all of your measurements you will need to figure out how many gutter sections you will need to replace your current gutters. You will need to know how long the section of gutter is that you are buying. If each section is 8 feet then you will divide 8 into the total number of feet that you measured. Also determine which sections of gutters that you will need to cut.

While you are determining the number of sections that you need you will also need to figure out how many connectors, end pieces, corner pieces, brackets, clips, etc that you will need. I always find it to be a good idea to buy a little more than I calculate that I need. I do this in case I miscounted or mis-measured or simply destroy something in the process of installation (I have been known to do this). This way it cuts down on the number of repeat trips I have to make to the hardware store.

If you are not going to re-use your current downspouts then you will need to purchase those as well. If you are going to add downspout extensions then make sure you buy all of the necessary parts.

I find that it is best to draw a diagram of your house. Maybe I am more visual than most but it helps me. On your diagram mark the areas where you will be joining long sections of gutters. Also mark where you are going to place your brackets and clips to hold the gutters in place. I normally have a separate sheet of paper for each side of the house. I find this to be easier for me. On your diagram make sure you include the measurement for your sections of gutters so that you have all of the information that you need in one place.