Protecting Your Shed with Gutters

Gutters Gain Your Shed More Useable Years

Your backyard shed is an important place where you store possessions, work, do activities, or simply relax. No matter how you use your backyard shed, it’s critical that you prevent rainfall from causing water damage to the roof and walls.

You can do this by installing gutters, which is easy to do and will go a long way towards protecting your shed investment.

Gutter Tools and Materials

Save yourself time and frustration by planning ahead and preparing properly for your gutter DIY project. For this project, you’ll need:

• 1 1/4″ self-tapping hex head screws
• 1/4″ hex head screws
• 1/8″ rivets
• Downspouts
• Elbows
• Gutters
• Gutter flashing
• Gutter hanging straps
• Gutter sealant
• Cordless drill
• Crimper
• Extension ladder
• Duckbill tin snips, hex head driver, offset tin snips, and a pop rivet gun

Step 1: Evaluate and Plan the Project:

First, inspect the frame of the shed for signs of rotted wood. You’ll need to replace any affected pieces before you put up the rain gutters.

Next, measure the horizontal rain gutter runs and downspouts and identify the parts you’ll need. Then count up the inside and outside corners and end caps. Measure the height of the downspouts and add 4 ft. facing away from the shed at the bottom.

Step 2: Preassemble the Gutters:

Lap all seams from 2 to 4 inches, then caulk and rivet them together. Use the same process to join two sections of gutter, but overlap the pieces at least 4 inches. Lap the rain gutters so that the inside section is facing downhill. This will prevent water from being forced out through the seam.

At the end of each gutter, cut it to extend about an inch past the end of the fascia board. This will allow it to catch water from the overhanging shingles. After that, attach an end cap with rivets and seal the joint with gutter sealant from the inside.

Step 3: Cut In the Downspout Tubes:

Measure from the corner of the shed to the center of your downspout. Cut a downspout outlet of this same length into your gutter. You can make this cutout with a duckbill tin snips, but special offset snips are available that make it much easier for beginners.

Step 4: Hang the Gutter Sections:

By sloping your downspouts, you can maximize their ability to eliminate standing water, which can cause corrosion and leak through the seams. How fast your gutters will empty is determined by the number and size of downspouts.

Slope each gutter run down toward the downspout about 1/4 in. for every 10 ft. of gutter, this is extremely important for the water to flow properly into the downspout. Snap a chalk line to indicate the top of the gutter. Then straighten gutter sections aligning the top edge with the chalk line as you screw them to the fascia.

Step 5: Apply the Flashing And Hangers:

You can prevent water from running behind your gutters by installing a metal gutter apron flashing under the shingles and over the back edge of the gutter. Slide the flashing under both the shingles and the roofing paper or ice and water barrier. Slip the flashing under the shingles if the ice and water barrier is stuck to the sheathing, or if there are too many nails and staples along the edge of the roofing paper.

Next, install hangers every 2 ft. to support the gutters and the front edge. Hold them level and drive screws through the flashing and gutter back into the fascia. In order to do this, spin the screws at high speed without applying much pressure until the screw tips dig into the metal. Once they’re in, lean on the drill and drive the screws into the fascia.

Step 6: Install the Downspouts:

To prevent water from leaking out of the joints, assemble the elbows and downspout tube with the crimped ends facing down Use sheet metal screws rather than rivets so you can disassemble the downspouts to clean them if necessary.

You’ll need to crimp one end of any cutoff piece to make it fit inside the next elbow or downspout section since 10-ft. lengths of downspout are only crimped on one end. If you only have one or two downspouts to install, you can use a needle-nose pliers to twist crimps into the end. But an inexpensive crimping tool will save you time and frustration.

Finish the gutter job by attaching the downspouts to the wall using U-shaped brackets or sections of downspout material, which often look cleaner and make it easier to hang the downspouts.

You’ll extend the life of your gutters and eliminate problems by cleaning leaves from your shed’s gutters twice a year. If necessary, hire a company that specializes in gutter cleaning and maintenance to avoid packed-up gutters and plugged-up downspouts. Preventative measures like these will help you enjoy your shed investment for years to come.