When the snow starts to melt, it needs to drain off your shed’s roof. This prevents oversaturation of the soil which can cause foundation problems, basement flooding and roof rot.
To keep this from happening, you’ll need to install an eavestrough. Here’s how to do it. First, determine if your shed’s fascia board slopes down in any place.
Eavestrough Material
Eavestroughs are discreet and invisible when they’re working properly, but they’re one of the most important components of your home’s roofing system. They collect melted snow and rainwater from the roof, then carry it away through downspouts. Without an eavestrough, your house is at risk of water infiltration, which can cause foundation damage and mould growth in the attic.
Aluminum gutters are affordable and durable. They’re often recommended for homes with steel roofs, and they’re resistant to the corrosion that can affect galvanized metals. However, they’re susceptible to denting from falling branches or debris. Some people choose stainless steel gutters for their high level of durability and strength, but they are more expensive. Regardless of the material you choose, it’s best to opt for seamless eavestroughs, which have factory-made mitres that keep corners and junctions sealed with only one seam.
To prepare your shed for eavestrough installation, make sure that the ground around it slopes downward in some way. If possible, mark the spot for the lowest downspout bracket with a level and a chalk line tool. If not, use a spirit level to determine the location of the bottom of the shed’s offset bends and place the lowest bracket about 50 cm (roughly 1.5 feet) from the ground if your downspouts will spill out on lower ground or 1 m (3-6 feet) if they will spill out onto higher ground.
Eavestrough Brackets
Guttering is an integral part of any garden shed and helps to protect the structure, stopping water from running down the sides and weakening it. It can also help with drainage, diverting rainwater away from the base of the shed and preventing water buildup that could potentially cause the foundation to rot. In addition, it can be used to collect and store rainwater in a water butt for use in the garden.
Before beginning the gutter installation process, it is essential to make sure that you have all of the necessary tools and materials. You will need a measuring tape to accurately measure the length of the shed’s roofline, and a pencil to mark out the positions of the gutter brackets. You will also need a drill and a hacksaw to cut the gutter sections to the required size. It is also a good idea to have a caulking gun on hand to apply sealant to any joints and seams.
Begin by screwing one of the gutter brackets into the fascia board at each end of the shed, and then add others down the string line at intervals no more than 1 m (roughly 3 ft) apart. Make sure that the gutter is positioned with a slight slope – the recommended angle is 1/2 inch per 10 feet of shed length.
Eavestrough Elbows
If you have a shed it is important to consider installing guttering. Rainwater that falls off the shed roof can cause rot and damage to the building. When the water dries it leaves behind mildew and mould which will weaken timbers. A good quality, well-placed guttering system can help to prevent this.
The first step is to measure the length of your shed roofline and identify any corners or angles. You can then plan how to install the guttering so that it is effective in diverting rainwater away from your shed.
Once you have your measurements you can start cutting the guttering sections to size. Be sure to use a hacksaw with safety goggles in place to avoid injury. After the cuts are made you can snap or slide a water-tight “stopend” section onto the open end of the guttering.
There are a number of different types of elbows available to suit different situations and needs. The most common are a (A) and a (B) style. A-elbows are typically used with box gutters and move water away from a wall while B-style elbows move the water sideways. It is recommended to try and match the sizes of elbows together, this will allow for a smooth flow of water through the system and can prevent them from clogging more easily.
Eavestrough Downspouts
When melted snow is not properly drained from your roof, it can build up in different areas of the roofing and eventually rot the shingles. This can lead to the entire roofing system failing and expose your home’s interior to the elements. An eavestrough fitted with downspouts can catch the melted snow and direct it away from your shed and home, protecting your property from water damage.
A properly functioning gutter system is based on the right amount of slope, called “pitch”, to ensure that water always flows downwards. The correct pitch ensures that the trough does not collect debris and that water is not overflowing the gutters. This will help prevent rusting and other problems.
Depending on the eavestrough design, there may be ‘inside’ mitres to seal corners and junctions as well as ‘outside’ mitres used for outward facing angles. Eavestroughs are also usually fitted with ‘flaps’ that can be lifted to open the downpipe outlet and drain water.
Once the trough is in place, it is time to install the downpipe outlet. Start by marking the location of the outlet with a piece of chalk. Then cut your guttering to the desired length and make a mark on the shed fascia board just below where the outlet will be installed. The mark should be made approximately 1m from the edge of your shed to avoid surface water pooling around the shed. If possible, the outlet should be positioned to direct the rainwater into a water butt (great for future use in the garden) or into ground that slopes away from your shed and other buildings.
