If you’re an avid DIYer, you certainly recognize that there are many tasks around your house – both inside and outside – that you can do on your own. Some require just a bit of elbow grease and maybe some tools you already own. Others demand a lot of energy or need tools you might not have around the house. While it’s commendable to do as much as you can on your own, often saving lots of money by finishing projects yourself, there are some things that are better left to the professionals. Painting your gutters is one of those things.
Painting Your Gutters: Why not DIY?
Though you probably don’t notice them every day, your gutters are an essential part of your home. They do an important job – funneling rainwater away from your house. They can greatly add to the curb appeal of your home as well. As such, they should always work well and look good, too.
Many homeowners look at their rusty gutters and think they need to be replaced. That’s not always the case. Sometimes, a few good coats of paint will have them looking as good as new. So, if your gutters are functioning properly but just don’t look like they used to, consider that painting them will get the job done. There’s often no need to go to the expense of getting new gutters and having them installed.
So, you’ve determined that replacement isn’t needed. You’re ready to pull out your 12-foot ladder, grab a few cans of paint, and get started with the painting. But you really shouldn’t.
Why?
Because there’s a lot more involved in properly painting your gutters than you might suspect.
Steps for Painting Your Gutters
1. Removing and inspecting your gutters
– This is a tough part of the task and one that’s not ideal for non-professionals who don’t know the ins and outs of gutters and how they work. (It’s not as simple as it may seem.) You’ll need a ladder tall enough to reach the top of your home and plenty of strength to handle the individual pieces, which can be heavy. You’ll also need to remember where they go when it’s time to put them back. In addition, as you take them down, each piece needs to be inspected, and it’s not always easy for a non-professional to spot flaws.
2. Stripping paint
– Before you repaint, you’ll need to strip the old paint off the gutters. That’s a tough job! It also requires stripping chemicals, paint scrapers, and more.
3. Sanding
– After getting rid of the old paint, you’ll need to carefully sand the gutters so that there’s a smooth surface to which the new paint will adhere. At this point, gutter pros will usually double-check for any flaws now that they are easier to spot.
4. Applying paint
– With gutters, it’s not just one and done. One coat of paint simply won’t do the job. You’ll need to apply an oil-based primer and let it dry thoroughly. Next, you can opt for an additional coat of enamel paint, which will add an extra layer of protection to the gutters. Next, you’ll need two coats of flat, satin, or gloss paint in whatever color you’ve chosen, but you should wait 24 hours between coats in order to do the job correctly.
5. Check for issues
– Again, to make sure you didn’t do any damage while painting, it’s necessary to check for holes or any other kinds of flaws after you’re done with the second coat of paint.
6. Re-install the gutters
– Finally, it’s time to install the gutters. This is a difficult task and it’s ESSENTIAL that it be done correctly. If you’ve never installed gutters before, know that it’s easy to make an error. If you install something incorrectly, the next heavy rain could mean disaster for your home.
Call the experts
It’s easy to see that painting your gutters is a lot more complicated than you might have imagined. As a result, hiring a professional to get the job done right the first time will result in savings of both time and money. At Advantage Gutters, our experts will come to your home, inspect your gutters, and dismantle them for painting. When we’re done, you can be sure they’ll be reinstalled properly so as to protect your home from any water damage.
To schedule an appointment for any of our services, including gutter inspection or maintenance and cleaning, or to have your gutters painted, call us at 604-514-9886.