How To Change Gutter On A Slate Roof?

Although sometimes it is heavy, it is necessary to do constant repair and maintenance to the gutters of our home, since the passing of the years affects the different aspects of the construction and the elements that face the outside, such as the facades and roofs, are the most punished.

After a certain time, it is likely that you will have to change some of the ducts on the roof, even if it is a specific point and a minimum effort, but you will have to get down to work. The best thing to do at this point is to hire a company that is an expert in installing gutters.

The problems that can appear on slate roofs require a quick and effective solution. If they are kept in poor condition, the only thing you achieve is to accelerate the speed with which the system deteriorates, making the repair necessary to return it to good condition more and more expensive.

Therefore, below we explain step by step how to change a gutter on a slate roof.

Step by step on how to change gutters on a slate roof

Measure the gutters

First, it is necessary to measure the length of the roof of this type of material in which you want to change the conduit to calculate how many meters you should buy. You have the option of buying several one-meter-long pieces according to your needs and in different colors or ordering a continuous gutter, manufactured on-site, from a specialist company. If you are going to overlap the pieces because the distance is greater, you must also seal them and add overlap in your calculations.

Prepare the workplace

The hooks and caps give the gutter stability and help prevent the warping of the gutter pieces. To do this you can place the hooks before making the change and raise the new one to the slate roof with some rivets. The covers are simple to mount by applying a little pressure on the sides.

Fixing of gutters

There are different ways to fix the ducts on the slate roof. On a roof, you need to dismantle the first few rows of slates . To anchor, you must use the long hook or snow hook, which is fixed directly to the wooden batten or to the board. This is normally done on roofs that are kept in very good condition.

Also, you can use the tailless hook or front hook. You must place a hook every 50 cm to ensure the stability of the system. If you have an overhanging eave so you can't attach the gutter to the wall, or don't want to strip roof rows, to attach a long hook to the deck board, you can use a gutter spacer. The spacer is fixed directly on the facade.

Insert the ducts into the downspouts

You have to make a hole in the new conduit . If you have a drill to make cuts you can use the tool, if you don't have a drill you can make the hole with tin snips . You also have the option of joining the two gutter pieces right at an outlet, so you don't have to make any holes in the gutter. Open the downspout a little and join the birth with the tube. Then you fix it with a small screw. This option is very economical.

Divert the downspout

To deflect the downspout or change direction, you can use elbows and offsets. The elbows also work at the end of the downspout pipe, in order to direct the water to the side or forward and away from the facade. For larger offsets you can combine pieces of the downspout or elbows.

Elbows and offsets feature a serrated aluminum seam. For aesthetic reasons, this seam should face the roof, so there are different designs depending on whether it is on the front or the side of the house. To cut the pieces you need, there is a sheet metal scissor, although you can use a radial saw. It is highly recommended to make the cuts directly at the installation site.

For the corners

If you have a corner, you will need a square to join the pipes of the storm drainage system. To use this piece you need to cut the end with sheet metal snips so that it fits in the bracket, then you fix the channel in the bracket with a small screw and seal well inside with polyurethane putty.

To join multiple downspouts

If you want to join several downspouts into just one, you have to use a collector. This is responsible for collecting different channels and joins them in a drain with a single outlet. They can be in aluminium, with different finishes.

For spike supports

Duckbill brackets are pieces that allow you to attach the new gutter directly to the slate tile . The bracket is fixed on the cover with its tapping screw. Once the ducks are placed, you can fix the channel with its front hooks on the duckbill support of the cover.

Place protections

Finally, you have the option of protecting the downspouts with a protector, especially if you have chosen aluminum gutters. This prevents cars, bicycles or walkers from hitting the descent and deforming it. Since dented downspouts get clogged very quickly, it is advisable to protect them from the ground. They last a long time and can be painted in the color of the roof. You can also use aluminum or stainless steel guards.

If after following these steps in detail you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact an expert in the installation of rain gutter systems, they will be willing to help you without any problem.