Eavestroughs Replacements

A Step-by-step Guide on How we do Eavestrough Replacement

Eavestrough (or eaves gutter if you are coming from outside Canada) carries water from a pitched roof. The channelling of rainwater away from the exterior of the foundation and the wall is important in that it prevents dampness and eventual damage and it prevents wet rot in timber and mould growth. Eavestrough also collect water for drinking or other purposes.

At BRENO Roofing Inc., we offer eavestrough repair, replacement, and cleaning services, as well as new eavestrough installation. You should do eavestrough installation if the eavestrough is damaged beyond salvage. So, what do you expect from us during the replacement process?

Step 1: Evaluating and planning the project

Gutter replacement starts with inspection of the fascia and soffit for signs of rotten wood. If there is rotten wood, it will need to be replaced before the replacement of the eavestrough. We first remove the crown molding or trim board that is often nailed to the fascia under the shingles in most Ontario homes. Alternatively, we add a continuous strip of wood under the shingle to create a flat plane for the gutter replacement. With both options, we prime and paint the bare wood before we can hang the new eavestrough.

Step 2: Measure the house and draw a sketch

Next, we will measure the length of the eavestrough and mark the locations of the downspout. We then count the outside and inside end caps and corners, noting whether they are left or right ends. We also measure the downspouts’ height and add 4 feet to each to cater for the extension away from the house at bottom. Finally, we note the type of elbows required. Front elbows are usually sufficient, but we sometimes need side elbows where the downspout extension needs to be turned sideways. Below are a few other things we consider during the planning stage:

We often locate downspouts in unobstructed areas (we avoid obstructions like electric meters, sidewalks, and hose bibs) for effective redirection of water away from the house.
Because of the web climate in Ontario, we recommend oversized 3 x 4-inch downspouts on eavestrough.
We slope long eavestrough runs (those over 40 feet) from the middle to down both directions and put downspout on either end.
We recommend special roof hanger mounting straps where the fascias are not present or are not vertical.

We then cut the eavestrough with tin snips and bend and cut the bottom. We usually preassemble it on the ground because it is easier than working atop the ladder. Most manufacturers recommend that you butt parts together and then cover the joints with seam covers, but we find lapping all seams from 2 to 4 inches and then caulking and riveting them together to be more effective.

We always leave the better-looking factory-cut end on the outside. We lap the eavestrough to ensure the inside section faces downhill (to ensure water is not forced out the seam). Where the eavestrough ends, we cut with a 1 inch extension past the fascia board end to ensure water from overhanging shingles is collected. We will then use rivets and sealant on the joint.

Step 3: Addition of outlets and downspouts

We will already have the positions for the downspouts from step 2 above. We use chisels (for center holes) and duckbill tin snips to cut V-shaped notches. We then cut downspout tubes.

Step 4: Hanging eavestrough sections

Next, we set the right slope. We take precise measurements, informed by years of experience, to ensure the slope is perfect. Having the right slope eliminates standing water and consequently leaks through the seams and corrosion. The standard we use is ¼ inch slope for every 10 feet of eavestrough.

At BRENO Roofing Inc., we offer eavestrough repair, replacement, and cleaning services, as well as new eavestrough installation

Step 5: Install flashing and hangers

We will then install flashing and hidden hangers. Flashing is important in that it protects the soffit and fascia from water damage. We usually slip the flashing under the shingles. Once this is done, we install hidden eavestrough hangers every 2 feet for support and to strengthen the front end.

Step 6: Installing downspouts

Next we will install the already-cut downspouts, adding elbows where necessary. We use a special crimper tool for this. We always ensure the crimped ends are facing down to prevent leaks of the joints. We use sheet metal screws as opposed to rivets to allow for disassembly during cleaning.

Step 7: Testing

At BRENO Roofing, we always test eavestroughs after installation. The simple and obvious way of doing this is pouring water on the roof and observing if there are any leaks, and fixing the problem if leaks are present.

So, how do you know you need eavestrough replacement in the first place?

The signs to look for include:

Over half a dozen holes, cracks, or rust spots. A few of these can be fixed with sealant or a little flashing, but if you find over half a dozen, this is indicative that the eavestrough is at the end of its life.
If you keep fixing broken fasteners and the problem persists, the problem may be the eavestroughs and they will need to be replaced.
If you find screws and nails on the ground even after replacement, this is indicative of eavestrough wear.
Eavestrough systems only work if they are in a continuous channel. If they separate frequently, you may need to replace the entire system.

If eavestroughs are pulling away from the roof even after hammering in the fasteners, do an eavestrough replacement to fix the likely fascia problem.
If the eavestroughs are sagging or are improperly-pitched, this will lead to the pooling of water in some sections, resulting in spillage and corrosion. If you are unable to fix this issue, you may need to replace the entire eavestrough system.
Peeling exterior paint is a sign that the eavestrough is pulling away from the roof, allowing water to seep down the rear edge. To avoid damage to the wall, do eavestrough repair and replacement if repair doesn’t work.
If you have eroded landscaping and flooded basement, this is indicative of seepage.