How To Install Guttering On A Shed

When building a new shed in your garden, it’s important that you factor in a guttering system as well.

Why?

Because a functional guttering system can prolong the lifespan of your shed, ensuring that rainwater isn’t running down the sides and weakening the structure. It also stops water from building up around the base.

Not to mention you can use your guttering and a water butt to collect and store rainwater to be used in your garden in the future.

But how do you go about adding guttering to your shed?

Well, we’ve put together this guide to tell you just that! Read on to find out how to install guttering on your shed.

1. Prepare for the installation

The first thing you need to do before you can install your guttering is to prepare effectively. There are several things you need to do at this stage to get ready. These include:

• Identifying where you’d like the rainwater to drain off to. This means identifying the direction of fall or whether your shed slopes (even slightly) in any place. This will ensure the water flows downhill or towards existing drainage
• Deciding whether to install the guttering directly onto the shed or whether to install a small fascia board around the edge of the roof so you can fix the guttering to this instead
• Choosing and purchasing the type of guttering you want. You can choose between different colours and materials
• Buying a water butt if you don’t have a suitable place for the water to run off to
• Ensuring you’ve got all the tools you’ll need for the job (including string, a pencil and a drill)

By ensuring you’re prepared and have everything you need, it will make the installation of your guttering much quicker and simpler on the day.

2. Mark where your guttering will go

Next up you need to take a length of string and mark out exactly where your guttering will sit on your shed or fascia board. Don’t forget to add a slight tilt towards where your downpipe will be located. Using string makes it easier to mark this slight tilt so you don’t forget.

You must also make a small mark where your gutter brackets will be. Just be careful to ensure there is no more than three feet between each bracket.

3. Attach the drain outlet

It’s now time to mark and install your drain outlet. To do this, hold the drain outlet in place and mark the locations where the screws will go. You can then drill pilot holes to make this easier to fit. Then attach the drain outlet either directly to the shed or to your fascia board.

Your drain outlet has an opening that points towards the ground. This will be where you attach your downpipe later on so this should give you an indication of where this will go on your shed.

4. Install your support brackets

With the drain outlet installed you can now begin adding the support brackets for the rest of your guttering. Remember, these must be no more than three feet apart!

Look at where you made your marks earlier on and hold up the brackets, once again marking where the screws need to go and making pilot holes. You can then attach the brackets properly.

It’s also important to remember that joint brackets must be installed where two pieces of guttering will meet, so you need to be aware of where this will happen.

5. Add the stop end

A stop end is placed at the furthest end from the downpipe outlet to stop water from leaving the guttering at the opposite end. So the next step is to get this stop end in place.

6. Ensure your guttering is cut to the correct length

The next step is to ensure your guttering has been cut to the right length. If you’re working with PVC guttering you should also take this opportunity to lubricate the ends of your guttering for easier installation in the final stages.

7. Slide the guttering into place

Once all this has been done you can slide the guttering into the brackets and they should simply snap into place. Go around the shed and double-check everything is in correctly and is lined up. Make sure all the joins are correct and you’re not going to have any leaks.

8. Attach the downpipe

The final step is to attach the downpipe to the drain outlet you installed at the beginning. This will either direct water away from your shed or into a water butt. To do this, you’ll need to attach downpipe brackets to the side of the shed and then click the pipe into place.

It’s worth noting the lowest bracket should be around 1.5 feet above the surface of the ground if you’re not using a water butt. So keep this in mind when attaching these.

And there you have it! Shed guttering that will help preserve your shed and potentially provide you with water for your plants during the drier months if you choose to add a water butt. If you need professional help with your guttering project get in touch with our team today.