As is the case with any roofed building or structure, the installation of guttering to a shed or outhouse is an extremely beneficial addition. 

With the aid of guttering, you will increase the lifespan of your shed by lessening the chance of water damage. By channelling the water into a drainage system rather than allowing it to run down the sides of the structure, you’re taking important steps to prevent troublesome rot which can impact the strength, stability and lifespan of your shed.

What You Need:

• Spirit Level
• Coloured Tape or String
• Drain Outlet
• Gutter Brackets
• Stop End
• Downpipe

Installing Guttering on a Shed

The process involved in fitting guttering to a shed is fairly simple, but it does require some important steps and of course a variety of fixtures. Thankfully, at BC Profiles we provide all of the drainage and roofline products you’ll need, as well as easy-to-follow expert advice that you can trust. 

First things first, it’s best to prepare. 

Installation Preparation 

You don’t want drainage water running off towards your house or damaging your garden, so it’s a good idea to first identify where the water will drain to. 

If you’ve got a drainage system nearby, great! However, it’s often the case that your shed will be placed at the bottom of the garden away from a drain. In scenarios such as this, it’s best to direct excess water into a water butt and reuse or dispose of it safely later.

Identify The Direction of Water Flow

You should also take a look at whether you shed is level; does the structure slope in any places? And does the area surrounding the shed run downhill? 

Use a spirit level to check whether your shed slopes in a specific direction, and make a note of which direction the water flows. You should use these angles to figure out which direction you can create the fall. 

Mark Out The Guttering 

Before fitting, it’s always a good idea to mark out exactly where your guttering and downpipes are going to go. 

Using coloured tape or string, outline where your guttering will be and leave space for the likes of downpipes and offset bends. If you’re not attaching the guttering directly to the shed or outhouse, factor in the inclusion of a fascia board too.

Step 1: Fit The Drain Outlet 

The next step is to install the drain outlet, this fitting is either open-ended or combined with a stop end, depending on where you’re attaching your downpipe. 

To fit the outlet, mark the locations where you will screw in the fitting and where the brackets will sit and drill in pilot holes as a guide.

Step 2: Install Your Gutter Brackets

Once you’ve attached the drain outlet, it’s now time to install the gutter brackets, the fixtures that will hold your guttering and pipes in place. 

Joint brackets should be fitted at the meeting point of two pieces of guttering, helping to provide extra support to the guttering as well as creating a watertight seal. 

Step 3: Fit The Stop End

Now that the guttering and brackets are in place you are able to install a stop end. 

This simple fitting will prevent water from leaking out of the guttering away from the downpipe outlet and should be fitted at the end of the guttering. 

If you’re working with UPVC guttering, you should now apply lubricant to any ends of the guttering that have been cut to fit. This will ensure that the guttering fits together much easier, reducing the risk of any cracks and damage. 

Step 4: Finally, Fit The Downpipe

The final stage of installing guttering on a shed is to fit the downpipe to the drain outlet. 

If you’re directing the water flow away from the shed towards the likes of a water butt, you may need to include offset bends to adjust the angle of the guttering. 

Once the downpipe is in place, secure it to the structure with downpipe brackets to ensure that the fitting remains firmly in place. The lowest of the brackets should sit about one and a half feet above ground level, placing additional downpipe brackets up the fixture at intervals with a maximum of three feet.

There you go! You should now have all the details you need to know on how to install guttering to a shed; if you need any further information for future DIY projects, visit our handy help and advice page or contact our friendly team!