To determine how much material will be needed.

-Sketch and measure the roof-line

-Obtain the perimeter/ linear footage measurements of the roof-line. i.e the length of the horizontal rain gutter runs along the roof line.

-Then count up the inside and outside corners and end caps (note whether they are right or left ends).

-One drain outlet is recommended for every 40ft (12meters) of gutter.

-So to determine the downspout needed, Measure the height of the building and add 4 ft. to it for the extension away from the house at the -bottom, then multiply by the number of drain outlets.

-Each drain outlet requires three elbows (and five for a house with cantilever). There are two types of elbows that turn either to the front or side of the downspout. Most installations require only front elbows, but occasionally you may need a side elbow, usually to turn the downspout extension sideways.

- 5 to 7 hangers for every 4 meters section of gutter

Here are a few planning tips:

- Make use of the scaffolding used for plastering/painting

- Slope long gutter runs (40 ft. or more) down both directions from the middle and put a downspout on each end

- Mark the downspout locations, Locate downspouts in unobstructed areas where water can be directed away from the house. Avoid
locations with obstacles like electric meters, hose bibs or sidewalks.

- Place downspouts in inconspicuous locations if possible.

- Buy special roof hanger mounting straps for houses without fascia boards or for fascias that aren’t vertical.

Installation Guidelines

A) Gutters shall have a minimum pitch of ¼” for every 10 feet of single section.

B) Downspouts shall be installed at every 40 feet.

C) Gutter, miters, Outlets and Elbows and downspout will be screwed or riveted to the adjoining section for security.

D) The components will be screwed or riveted to the adjoining section with an approved sealant. Field cut miters, Box miters, and Strip miters are all acceptable forms of installation.

E) Hangers will be spaced a maximum 24”-36” inches apart on any continuous gutter run for strength and stability of the overall system

@Raincache, I want to publicly commend you for a job well done on my Benin project. I came across your details on nairaland about 2 weeks ago. I called from disapora and we negotiated terms and conditions. I was very sceptical about making payment to someone I haven't met or thoroughly vetted.

But your attitude and approach was exceptional. You allayed my concerns and went on to complete the installation of water collector on my property within 3-4 days instead of the 1 week you committed to. Product and installation warranty you provided at the end of the job without me chasing. You provided daily progress updates with pictures without any prompting from me. In fact I am more than satisfied with your delivery and attitude I felt the need to leave this public review.

I pray you continue on this path and continue to be a person of integrity. Your gift will make room for you. God bless you.

This review is from a silent nairaland and unsolicited. I believe good people should be encouraged.

Obosa1:
@Raincache, I want to publicly commend you for a job well done on my Benin project. I came across your details on nairaland about 2 weeks ago. I called from disapora and we negotiated terms and conditions. I was very sceptical about making payment to someone I haven't met or thoroughly vetted.

But your attitude and approach was exceptional. You allayed my concerns and went on to complete the installation of water collector on my property within 3-4 days instead of the 1 week you committed to. Product and installation warranty you provided at the end of the job without me chasing. You provided daily progress updates with pictures without any prompting from me. In fact I am more than satisfied with your delivery and attitude I felt the need to leave this public review.

I pray you continue on this path and continue to be a person of integrity. Your gift will make room for you. God bless you.

This review is from a silent nairaland and unsolicited. I believe good people should be encouraged.

Thank you for going this far to testify to the quality of service we provide. We really appreciate it Ma. And THANK YOU for the tip! God Bless You.

WHAT IS THE BEST RAIN GUTTER MATERIAL?

Rain Gutters are an essential part of your property's structure, and one of the most important defenses against water damage. Designed for channeling water from the roof of your property to a proper drainage system, rain gutters have become a vital feature for any home or business. Therefore, owners have the important task to make an informed decision – according to their budget and the property's needs – in order to achieve a flawless rain gutter installation. By doing this, you are making sure that your home stays dry and your foundation stays protected against water damage.

There is a wide array of rain gutter material to choose from. it's not about which one of them is the best or the worst; it's about which one works best for you, since every material has its advantages and drawbacks, and it is important for you to evaluate some aspects when choosing the right material for your rain gutters.
Below is a list of the frequently used materials for rain gutters and their benefits and drawbacks, so you can go ahead confidently with your rain gutter installation.

PVC:
PVC rain gutters are preferred by homeowners, thanks to being inexpensive, lightweight, easy to install, and the fact that they never rust. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts prefer this material because it is very easy to handle and install. However, if installed incorrectly the rain gutters can sag. Other common problems with PVC rain gutters include brittleness and cracking due to exposure to extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, they are perfect for homeowners who need new rain gutters but are on a budget. (http://raincache.ng/gutters/why-choose-pvc-gutter/)

Aluminum:
Aluminum rain gutters are the perfect combination of durability and price. They are a homeowner favorite because of their many advantages, such as being lightweight and easy to work with, as well as being rust-proof. Another plus is that seamless rain gutters can be manufactured with aluminum. As their name implies, these rain gutters do not have seams, thus preventing water from leaking. The only disadvantage to aluminum rain gutters is that they aren't as sturdy as other materials and can dent.(http://raincache.ng/gutters/how-aluminum-gutters-can-enhance-your-homes-curb-appeal/)

Galvanized Steel:
Galvanized steel rain gutters are very popular among homeowners. They are usually coated with a layer of zinc and can either be professionally installed or purchased as a do-it-yourself project – though it is recommended that they are installed by specialists since the rain gutters need to be soldered together. The benefits of purchasing galvanized steel rain gutters are that they are cost-efficient compared to other materials. However, this material is prone to rusting and must be painted periodically.

Stainless Steel:
Stainless steel rain gutters are known for being extremely sturdy and durable. They won't rust like their galvanized steel counterparts, in fact they preserve their shine for many years. However, because stainless steel is one of the strongest materials in the rain gutter industry, they are usually two-to-four times more expensive than rain gutters made from weaker materials.

Copper:
Along with stainless steel, copper is another high-end material, as well as one of the most durable for rain gutters. It doesn't rust, and because of its elegant appearance, it is desired by homeowners everywhere. The only drawback is the price – since it is a high-end material, owners can expect to pay N5000 to N7000 per linear foot, though prices vary with the value of copper.

Wood:
Wood was one of the first materials used to create rain gutters but gradually dropped out of favor with the advent of more resistant materials. However, rain gutters made of redwood, cedar, and fir are still available and mainly used for renovations on historic houses. Wood rain gutters are expensive due to their classic appeal and range from N3500 to N7000 per linear foot.

Why Choose PVC Gutters?

You can find plenty of different rain gutter types, materials and sizes(http://raincache.ng/gutters/types-of-gutters-and-costs/), however, it's not about which one of them is the best or the worst; it's about which one works best for you, since every material has its advantages and drawbacks, and it is important for you to evaluate some aspects when choosing the right material for your rain gutters.

The weather – for example – is a feature that will determine which material of rain gutter is the most suitable for your home, if you have a hot weather where you live, you can not install the same rain gutters as if you live in a snowy or rainy place. This means that the material that would work for some people, will not necessarily work for you.

In this post, we will discuss one of the materials that have become very popular among homeowners and builders in Nigeria, the PVC/Plastic/Vinyl Gutters. This is a synthetic man-made material, resulting of the ethylene (found in crude oil) and chloride (found in regular salt) combination, which after being processed together, form Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Here, we present some good reasons why you should choose PVC gutters:

Low Cost:
If you are on a low budget PVC Gutter is the way to go. One of the reasons PVC gutters are currently very popular in Nigeria is their low price; you can find in the market all the PVC rain gutter parts and accessories for an affordable cost compared with other materials. However, there are a lot of cheap versions that are made of a lower quality plastic, which are more prone to get cracked and they just last for a while; so be careful because what's cheap turns out to be costly. You can order good quality PVC gutter on http://raincache.ng/product-category/pvc-gutters/

Simple Installation:
PVC gutters are designed to be easily installed, they come in sections that snap together at the joints; this makes them very easy to manage for both installers and homeowners. Compared with others, PVC is do-it-yourselfers' favorite material because of their combination of practicality and ease; they perfectly fit together at the joints, and their lightweight allows you to carry them up and down the ladder without problems. Despite how simple it may seem, we always recommend looking for experienced rain gutter technicians to avoid poor installations that would end up in costly repairs.

Low maintenance required:
Another benefit of this type of material, regarding its low price is the maintenance; you don't need to spend too much money in regular maintenance services since PVC gutters when well installed, they don't require many cares. Unlike metal gutters, PVC gutters are made of PVC plastic which never corrodes or dent throughout the years; they also have the same color inside as outside, so they don't require painting because if they scratch, it wouldn't be as noticeable as it would be on metal gutters. You only need to frequently clean debris and leaves that fall inside the gutters, or you can use a leaf net to avoid clogs in your drainage system.

In summary, PVC gutters are a great product in term of cost and ease of installation. The only draw-back with PVC gutters is their durability in harsh weather. If you live in a place with extreme weather, PVC gutters are more likely to flake, get cracked and easily break part resulting in leaks.

If you live in the tropics (e.g Nigeria), where there is more exposure to sunlight, PVC gutter may not be the best for your property if you are thinking long term, because of UV degradation due to exposure to high temperatures under the sun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_degradation )
Heavy rains can also make PVC gutter to sag or bend eventually, so in order to get the best of gutters you need to consider this important variable.

Why Aluminium Gutter is the Best Rain Gutter

Aluminium gutters are known for their durability as well as their aesthetically pleasing exterior. But there are many benefits to choosing aluminium gutters for your property. To help you make an informed decision, here are some reason to choose aluminium gutters

Durability
As aluminium will not rust it is a perfect choice for the long term. It is designed to withstand punishment from any type of weather. Aluminum is extremely durable and has an expected life-cycle of about 60 years, depending on maintenance. This makes them extremely cost-effective too.

A timeless aesthetic effect
The appearance of aluminium gutters is extremely beautiful which makes it the perfect rainwater system for a huge variety of properties, from old country houses to modern new builds, aluminium gutters would not look out of place.


Wider range of colours
Aluminium gutters often come ready made in many different colours. An aluminium gutter is not prone to colour bleaching which can be caused by exposure to the sun and therefore will keep looking like new throughout its life-cycle.
Aluminum gutters can also be easily repainted, so there’s no need to worry about getting stuck with just one colour.

Will not sag, warp, flake or crack
Another great advantage is that aluminium gutters will not shatter or crack due to temperature changes. It is not at all affected by thermal expansion. In addition, it is often available in a seamless style guttering which prevents any leaks and unsightly joints.

Aluminum Gutters Are Lightweight
Aluminum is so lightweight and strong, it continues to function perfectly year after year without unsightly dips that occur over time (in PVC) that can cause overflows and damages to the building.
Aluminum gutters works perfectly in areas with heavy and constant rainfall. It does not allow water, leaves and other debris to build up weight which is recipe for disaster.

Very little maintenance
Apart from the regular cleaning out of dirt from the gutters there is usually very little maintenance required. This will be a welcome feature for most people as there is no need to worry about leaks.

Seamless Gutter Options
Aluminum is also the best option for seamless gutters. Going seamless is the best way to ensure that rain water is carried safely away from your home without leaks, breaks, or seams that can split causing the need for costly repairs and replacements.
Leaking seams are the primary cause for mold, and mildews.

Aluminum gutters have higher flow rate
Depending on where you live, heavy or constant rainfall can be an issue if your gutters size is too small. A strong, long-lasting rain can create a high volume of water that can get backed up in other gutters types that are not designed to function in areas of heavy precipitation.
Aluminum is such strong material, it often has a wider channel, and high flow rate allowing it to carry much more water safely away from your home.

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