I’ve got another drainage related question. There is an extruded aluminum gutter on the back of the house, it is about 20 feet long. The drip edge does not extend over the back of the gutter and the facia board is now damaged. I need to remove the gutter, replace the facia and re-install the gutter. Problem is this is about 14 feet off the ground. The gutter is only 2 years old and I want to save it ( it was replaced when the roof was done; the roofer should have fixed it or at least asked and then installed the new gutter properly; the facia damage is older and from the previous poorly installed original gutter).
Rather than try and lower this to the ground, I’m going to raise it and set it on the roof. Any ideas on how to do this without ruinining the gutter by flexing it too much? I’m thinking of using a few people and three lines – one on either end and one in the middle, running them over the roof to the other side and using them to pull the gutter up. Any other ideas? How much can you flex and extruded gutter before it bends?
George
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Just get one guy at each end and lift it on the roof. All the fasteners except for one at each come out first, then take the last two out simultaneously. Not sure if it's part of your question, but I have never seen a gutter installer put the gutter under the drip edge, they always go right over it.
In my experience the gutter should be ok, to go either up or down with. Just don't handle it too close to the ends. hold it in the position its in now and don't let it roll too much. I don't think it will be a problem with enough hands on it. The key will be to keep it stable till you get all the fasteners out.
My boss and I have put up twenty plus feet of continous often enough. we use the hidden hangers.
Webby
I'd do it solo. remove the hanger screws from both ends ( gawd I hope it's not Spike and ferrule) and leave the two closest to center.
Use a ladder standoff so that the ladder is above the gutter on the roof plane. Then remove one screw ( on your strong side so you can support the gutter with that hand) and then the other screw hanger.
Now drop the impact or drill in the gutter and bring it towards the back of the ladder and walk it down ( or up and on the roof). Yes you have to reach around the ladder and use no hands on the rails. Watch the drops sticking out the end(s) when ya set it down, they will want to kink it.
Two or more people can be hard to syncronize and I can and do hang 25' solo easily, then join on the next hunk. Two people for pre mitered and soldered corners is a big help tho'.
Thats about the reverse of how I hang it, so YMMV.
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I removed and reinstalled a 48 foot gutter solo a few months ago. They are sturdier than you might think. Just make sure you clean it out thoroughly first.
There are various thicknesses of AL stock used for rollforming gutters. There are definitely 48-footers out there that would be virtually impossible to handle solo.