Wood gutters are passageways that allow rainwater from the ceiling to flow to the ground without affecting the walls of the house. Installing them is beneficial since they prevent the walls from getting damaged.
If you come across some old model houses, you will notice that they have long wooden beams constructed along the walls. These are wood gutters and they serve the purpose of draining water and sewage from the ceiling without damaging the walls of a house. These gutters are built in such a way that they channel water to a downspout which is near the ground so that the water gets absorbed in the ground. These are also known as rain gutters as they are most handy during the rainy season. Though wood gutters are a bit expensive, they can be a valuable addition to the house.
The Installing Process
- If you already have an old gutter and are planning to replace it, then you can use the old brackets to fix your new gutter. But in case, you are opting for a new one, then you need to prepare a blueprint for the same before installation.
- Once you have measured the roof of your house where you intend to place the gutter, purchase the gutter sections and other things required for installing the gutter from a hardware store. There are two ends of a gutter, the downspout, which is closer to the ground and the opposite end which is fixed on the roof.
- Take measurements along the roof and wall of the house before fixing the gutter. Drill holes along the roof to fix the fascia brackets. Screw the nails of the fascia brackets into the roof rafter tails and solder them so that they are fixed permanently.
- Mount the gutter onto the fascia brackets and with the help of a hack saw and connectors, and secure each section of the gutter.
- If you have rain gutter guards, then secure them along the top of the gutter. This guard will prevent the accumulation of dead leaves and twigs inside the gutter and facilitate free flow of water. Once you are finished with the task of installation, recheck all the nuts and screws, and see if they are secured properly to the wall.
Maintenance
Since wood has a tendency to rot after a period of time, it is essential to have a routine maintenance regimen to protect the wood gutter from getting damaged. Here are some instructions on how to maintain this gutter.
- Since the wood gutters are framed along the walls, they tend to get clogged due to dead leaves, twigs and other debris. This can prevent the water from flowing freely. So the first step towards maintaining these is to clear the debris.
- The rain gutter can be cleaned using a chemical bleach. Dissolve 2 parts of the bleach to one part of water and with the help of a scrub brush, apply this solution inside the gutter. This treatment will destroy any fungal growth like mildew or mold.
- Water seeps easily into wood and rots it. So you need to make sure that the gutter is properly coated with latex enamel paint. Scrub off the old paint and remove the rotten parts with a chisel before repainting the gutter.
- Once the paint has dried completely, you can continue the task of repairing the gutter. In case there are any cracks or holes in the wood, use an adhesive caulk or wood putty to seal the cracks, with the help of a putty knife.
- Allow the putty to dry off before applying a coat of anti-pest varnish. This is to protect the wood from insects like termites and weevils. Your task is finally done. Your wood gutter is ready to brave the torrential downpour during the rainy season.
The installation and maintenance can be a bit tiring, but once you successfully complete these tasks, then there is no room for regret. If these are properly installed and maintained, wood gutters can actually beautify the appearance of a house.