Mistakes That Cost Dearly
After all these years in the gutter business, I've seen every way to install gutters wrong. My sons Adam and Robin still fix these mistakes today. Here are the most common ones.
1. Poorly Calculated Slopes
This is the number one mistake. Too little slope and water stagnates. Too much and water overflows at joints or bypasses downspouts.
Gutters are installed with a level. Not with a theoretical 10-foot calculation — a house may have settled over time, and a rigid formula no longer applies. You need an expert eye and a good level.
2. Poorly Drilled Holes
I've seen installations where downspout holes were too small, too big, or poorly positioned. Result: guaranteed leaks.
The hole must be precise to the millimeter, cleanly cut, without burrs that will catch debris.
3. Downspouts Too Small
Many contractors save money by installing fewer downspouts or downspouts too small for the roof surface.
A 2x3 inch downspout can handle about 600 square feet of roof. Beyond that, you need 3x4 inch or more downspouts.
4. Screws Too Long in Drainage
A mistake we often see: screws that completely pierce the gutter bottom near downspouts. Water infiltrates through screw holes.
5. Wall Anchoring Poorly Adapted
Not all walls are the same. Installing wood screws in concrete, or using screws too short for thick walls - that doesn't last long.
Fasteners must be adapted to wall type: wood, brick, concrete, siding.
6. Poorly Adapted Silicone
Using any silicone guarantees problems. You need silicone designed specifically for exterior and gutters.
Worse: I've seen installations with bathroom caulking. That lasts six months outdoors.
7. Lack of Downspouts
The classic economic mistake. A 40-foot house with one central downspout - that doesn't work.
General rule: one downspout every 30-35 feet maximum, plus at problematic corners.
8. Too Many Downspouts
The opposite also exists. Some installers put downspouts everywhere to compensate for poor slope. The purpose of downspouts is to move water away from the building. Too many downspouts don't evacuate water properly — they just spill it everywhere. It's not better. It's preferable to have fewer downspouts but larger pipes (3x3 or 3x4 inches) that actually move the water away.
9. Poor Quality Material
Saving on materials (thin aluminum, cheap fasteners) guarantees problems.
With our winters, cheap material lasts 3-5 years. Good material lasts 20 years.
10. Poorly Made Corners
Exterior and interior corners are craftsmanship. Poorly done, they leak immediately.
You must cut precisely, seal cleanly with high-quality silicone, and waterproof correctly. No room for approximation.
What We Do Differently at Akaro
My sons Adam and Robin do things right:
- Professional slope calculation with level
- Professional cutting of all holes
- Correct sizing based on roof surface
- Fasteners adapted to each wall type
- Superior quality materials
- Continuous training for our installers
The Cost of Mistakes
A poorly done installation will cost you in:
- Frequent repairs
- Foundation damage
- Water infiltration
- Premature replacement
Expertise costs money. But incompetence costs even more.