Gutter Hangers: How far apart should it be?

If you have a roof, gutters are a necessity. You might not think about them day-to-day but they’re there to catch all the water from your roof and divert it away from your foundation. Before we get into how far apart you should space gutter hangers, let’s go over what they are and what they do.

Gutter hangers can be on either side of the house or on just one side – depending on whether the on-ground slope is equal in both directions. If you have gutters on one or both sides of your home, set the hangers at the same height and spacing as on either side of the house. If you’re using just one side of gutter hangers, place them at least 12 inches apart. Let that sink in for a minute.

Now that we know more about gutter hangers and how far apart we should space them, let’s talk about some things to consider when putting them up.

Things to consider when installing a Gutter Hanger

If you’re attaching the gutter hangers to an existing gutter, there may be holes in it that were made by whoever installed your gutter before. Make sure the screws of the hangers don’t go into these holes. When attaching your new gutter, use self-taping screws. They come with an adhesive tape tip that thoroughly adheres to what you are screwing into so there is no need for additional putty or glue.

Here’s another thing you should look out for. The end of the screws should not go beyond the inside of the gutter by more than 10mm as this will put too much pressure on it and could cause damage. Screws that stick out like this can cause your gutter to be pushed out of shape and start leaking. You might need to use a shorter screw or one with a thinner head if this is the case.

Another important thing to remember is that if you’re using just one side of your gutter hanger, you should leave enough room for the little bit of water that passes through the gutter and down onto the ground. You don’t want your gutters to be so tight they won’t let anything pass through them and you definitely don’t want them to be so loose they can’t hold up weight.

Related: How Much Weight Can My Roof Hold?

Types of Gutter Hangers

There are four main types of gutter hangers. They’re called

1. top mount,
2. in line,
3. end mount and
4. inlay.

Top mount is also known as the inlet gutter hanger. This is the most common type of gutter hanger. Top-mount gutters are mounted on the inside edge of your roof so all water flows into them from above. They can either be flush with the roof or slightly recessed so they don’t take up space or look unappealing to you. If you’re retrofitting your home and you don’t have top-mount gutters that were there before, then it would be best to just get new ones. You can either buy pre-made gutter systems or make your own.

In the other three types of gutter hangers, the water flows in from under your house. Think of it like an inline-style shower where the water goes down into the drain. One type of in-line gutter is a cleanout gutter. Because it’s filled with water after it rains, water flows down the middle and you have to open a little door on the bottom to drain the water out. In other types of in-line gutter hangers, the water flows through the gutter so there’s no need to drain it out after you’ve used rainwater.

If you don’t know how much rain is coming, you can also buy an estimate of how much rainwater will be coming down by considering your roof slope, your gutters’ pitch, and how long your roof lasts before needing replacement.

And if you have an end-mount gutter, the water flows down from underneath your house. It can come down one side or both sides. If you have both sides, then choose the side that has the least slope.

Because end-mount gutters are mounted at the ends of your house, they can be very expensive to install and maintain, especially if you decide you don’t want them anymore. So if you do decide to go this route, make sure it’s something you can live with long term for not only your home but also for the aesthetics of your home.

Material and durability

As with anything we see around us, we always want to know, how long will it last and what it’s made of. When it comes to gutter hangers, the materials and their durability depends on where you live. If you live in a hot climate with strong sun, either aluminum or tin gutter hangers will do the trick.

If you live in an area where there’s lots of wind, you might want to consider steel gutter hangers. A further consideration is if you plan on living in your home for a long time or if this is for a vacation property that needs some TLC every now and then.

Gutter hangers are just one of the many parts of your home that are important to pay attention to if you want them to last for a long time while also ensuring your home is looking good while it’s raining. If you want something that not only lasts but looks good while doing it, go with the best, which is stainless steel gutters.

TIPS FOR GUTTER PLACEMENT AND HANGER SPACING

Gutters should be mounted in the center of exterior walls to avoid water that splashes on the walls from getting into the house.

Place gutter hangers on your roof where it’s easy for you to reach them. How easy may also depend on how heavy they are, so make sure they’re not too far away. Give yourself at least 6 feet away from your ladder or stairs if you need to reach down. Also, if you’re installing gutters along with gutter hangers at the same time you can attach them one after another while up on the ladder which makes things even easier for you.

Measure the width of the channel formed by the gutter and the downspout. The channel should be as wide as or wider than that of your gutters. That way, you’re sure to have enough room for your gutter to swing freely and scoop water away from your house.

Place gutter hangers at least 12 inches apart and always try to space them at least 24 inches apart for a continuous flow of water after rain, which also means it will take less time for your gutters to become clogged. This is true especially if you have clay tiles or even clay bird baths near your house. Clay is very sticky and attracts debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt. That’s why the gutter hangers should be at least 24 inches apart. The more space you leave between your gutters, the easier it will be for them to get rid of contaminants like these.

Related: Metal Roof Systems: Standing Seam Vs. Screw Down Panels

Rookie mistakes to avoid while Installing Rain Gutters on your roof

There are mistakes that our expert says do not go hand in hand with installing gutters. To avoid them, follow these tips below:

Don’t rush.

Follow the instructions of your local authorities when it comes to installing gutters on your roof. Your gutter is important not only for the purpose of collecting rainwater but also for giving a little extra protection from a sudden downpour. Wait a little longer if you have to, to avoid getting electrocuted or falling off your roof and have a fall from above happen.

Don’t skip the gutter installation process.

Take your time when choosing the right material for your new gutter. It doesn’t matter if you’re just replacing an old one, it’s always best to double-check to see if the new one is a compatible match with your house and tiles. The gutter can be made out of a variety of materials including wood, steel, aluminum, and copper. Choose wisely what works best for you and your budget.

Do monitor how much water flows into your gutters

Do monitor how much water flows into your gutters before putting in a new gutter system or replacing an old one by investing in a rain gauge. This will help determine how much rainwater flows through your roof every year.

Do keep your gutter slope straight.

Do keep your gutter slope straight. Even if you have to alter the angle of your gutter, make sure the gutters are still sloping slightly downward so they can collect rainwater properly. Ideally, there should be at least a 1/4-inch drop for every 30 inches of run.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! We’ve gone over everything that you need to know when deciding on the best gutter installation for your home. If you’re thinking about replacing an old one with a new one, it’s always best to replace it with the same material. This way you don’t have to do any additional work in order for them to fit properly.

Of course, if you want to go safer and sturdier with steel or aluminum gutters then that’s totally fine too. You just need to make sure that the new ones are compatible with your house and tiles.