1.Tthe pitch of a gutter is dependant upon the straightness of a house; do not slope the gutter beyond a point where it looks bad as ultimately aesthetics rule, or function follows form. Forget your damn level and use your eyes!
2. Downspouts must be not only straight and level, but they must not rattle in a wind. Secure the downspout to the wall with adhesive if nessacary to prevent the thing from keeping the family up at night during a storm. Also, stringing thin rope though the whole spout and placing a sponge at the bottom will eliminate almost all noise from water gushing through the pipe. This is a common complaint with downspouts next to bedroom widows.
3. A LONG GUTTER NAIL WITH OUTLAST A HIDDEN HANGER EVEN THOUGH A HIDDEN HANGER LOOKS BETTER. Does form really lead function?
4. A lifetime warranty on a aluminum gutter system is a lie perpetuated by the material manufactors as no caulking will last longer than 25 years.
5. Leaderheads actually do help siphon water from the gutter.
6 Strainers in the downspout openings cost a fraction of continous screens, and work better as debris clogs the downspout first
7. When a downspout dumps onto a lower roof include a splash shield because when it rains the water is gauranteed to overshoot the gutter. The same should be said for inside miters.
8. Use the best caulking you can afford.
9. Never spray paint materials as the color fades within one year.
10. Use stainless steel screws whenever possible.
11. If a raingutter is not installed underneath a roof lines dripe edge flashing it will not work.
12. Most custom gutter corners are 22.5 degrees; cut a pattern on a chop saw, mark the outside of the surface, allow 3/4" overlap for screws and etch with a utility knife. 3-4 etching with a sharp razor knidfe and the gutter will tear cleanly on your line.
13. If gutter outlets are used, caulk them.
14. where a raingutter butts to a wall or chimney, that area must be sealed!