We are often asked how to go about replacing old guttering with new PVC products. Our advice is as follows;

Firstly, taking suitable safety precautions, carefully remove the old gutter and fittings. Once this has been done, inspect the fascia boards and replace or repair any areas of rot. You should never secure new gutters to rotting timbers, as this could cause serious structural damage to your roof. Once you are happy with the condition of the fascia boards, the installation can begin.

Firstly fit the running outlet (the piece that connects the guttering to the down pipe). This is usually fixed over the drain, so that the downpipe can drop vertically. The outlet is fixed using either 1″ or 1″1/4 no 8 or 10 screws, which should be stainless steel or zinc plated. The next job is to go to the furthest point on the system, and fit a fascia bracket (using the same screws) approximately 100mm inside the furthest point. You should then string a line between the bottom of the bracket and the bottom of the outlet, and use a spirit level to ensure that there is a fall towards the outlet.

The recommended fall for guttering is usually 1 in 600 (one inch in fifty feet), but you should always check with the guttering supplier as different manufacturers and systems often specify different falls. The next job is to fit all of the gutter fittings to the fascia board. Fascia brackets should as a rule of thumb be fitted at least every metre, but again you should check this with the gutter supplier.

Gutter unions (joiners) are used to join each piece of gutter, which are generally supplied in 4 metre lengths. 90 degree angles are used at corner sections.

Once all of the fittings are in place you can fit the gutter. First check the gutter lines up with the insertion marks on the inside of each of the fittings, and that the neoprene rubber seals are all in place in their grooves. Then insert the first length of gutter. This is achieved by sliding the back edge of the gutter under the retaining clip on the fittings, then pulling down gently on the front edge whilst applying an upward pressure on the underside of the clips on each fitting. You can usually hear a click as the guttering snaps into place.

The final job is to fit the down pipe. Fix a plumb line to the centre of the outlet to obtain a vertical line. Then mark and drill the downpipe clips in place using 11/2 x 10 screws and rawlplugs. Fix each bracket loosely to allow the downpipe to by slid into place. If the fascia board is set out from the wall, you will need to make a “swan neck” using two 112 degree pipe bends and a short piece of pipe cut to suit.

Always make sure that the sockets of the bends face upwards to ensure that no water can escape. Once the swan neck (if required) is ready, push the top socket onto the outlet and push the pipe onto the bottom of the lower bend. If you do not need a swan neck the pipe fits straight on to the bottom of the outlet. Secure the pipe in place by tightening the screws on the first clip. Subsequent clips should be fitted every 1.8m vertically.

Finally connect the downpipe to the underground drainage system by using a suitable rainwater pipe to drainage adaptor.

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Article Link: http://www.mineeds.com/Portland/The-Adams-Approach/Articles/Do-It-Yourself-Window-Gutter-Cleaning-Tips

Tags: gutter cleaning , window cleaning

Just to give all you do-it-yourselfers another tip, you can make the best homemade window cleaner that there is, it is actually just dish soap (if you can find an ultra type dish soap is best) + water, that’s it! There really is no need for anything else. I would never use commercial glass cleaners that add chemicals like ammonia, vinegar and or alcohol. These chemicals are designed to disinfect and evaporate window cleaning solutions at a higher rate than normal. This would not be too bad if you can wipe off the window really fast!

For Gutter Cleaning: The corners of the home are good starting locations since this is where the downspouts are typically located. It’s best to start near the downspout and work away from it to avoid pushing additional debris into it. Begin at the part of the gutter closest to the downspout. This is recommended because after you finish the downspout area and the gutters around it, it would be easier to bring up a hose or what not and send any bottom debris from that end to the downspout and it should carry it down the spout, if the gutters is angle correctly. A little less ladder movement.

Hope these tips help.

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Window And Gutter Cleaning Tips