You probably already own some of this stuff, unless you’re the kind of person who borrows a hammer from a neighbor. No judgment. Grab a drill, screws (self-tapping ones are magic), gutter sections, downspouts, and brackets.
Oh, and a level. You know, the thing that tells you if your life is crooked in a very literal way. A chalk line is also handy if you want your gutters to look like they were installed by a pro.
Don’t forget safety gear. Gloves, glasses, and a helmet if you have a dramatic imagination. Your ladder should be on solid ground, not a muddy slope that makes you rethink your life choices.
Step 1: Measure Twice, Curse Once
Measure the length of the roofline where the gutter will live. Add an extra foot for downspouts and overhangs. Then measure again because your tape measure will lie to you out of spite.
Most gutters come in 10-foot sections. You’ll need to cut them with a hacksaw or special gutter snips—power tools are for pros who don’t mind replacing a blade. Mark your cut with a pencil. Yes, even if it gets wet later. Trust me.
Pro tip: cut the gutter with the inside facing up so the metal doesn’t curl into a sad little mess. You want a clean edge, not a metal origami disaster.
