If you are interested in making half round gutter installation a DIY job and you feel confident in your abilities, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need to get the job done right. Here, you will learn more about the tools you should have on hand and their unique purposes.

Traditional Tools

First and foremost, you will need to have some traditional tools that you most likely already have in your tool shed or garage. These are all fairly self-explanatory, and they include the following:

• Ladder
• Chalk Line
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Screws
• Power Drill
• Tin/Aluminum Snips
• Hacksaw
• Needle nose pliers
• Other fasteners
• Level

Additional Tools

Some additional tools that you will need during the installation process are a little less common but available in most hardware or home improvement stores.

• 1/10 Gallon Caulking Gun – Used for dispensing your gutter sealant. There are several different types of sealants out there, and many of the best are silicone-based. These are flexible, stand up to the elements for years, and adhere well to gutter surfaces. Choose a sealant best suited to your gutter material, remembering that the sealant for vinyl may not be the best option for steel.
• Pop Rivets – Pop rivets make it easy to join two pieces of thin metal together. They are forced through a hole using a central rod that also clinches the rivet together when removed. It’s vital for securing accessories and pieces of gutter together when you can only access one side of the metal.
• Hole Saw – A hole saw is exactly what its name implies; it is saw used to create a hole. This will be used to create a hole in your gutter, where you wish the downspout to go. You will first cut the hole, insert your outlet tube, then attach the downspout to the outlet tube.

Gutters and Accessories

Once you have gathered your tools, you should make sure you have the gutters and gutter accessories you need to complete the job. Often, most people do not realize the number of accessories they truly need until they are already well into the project, and this can cost time and money. Before you start installing your half round gutters, make sure you have the following:

• Gutters – Be certain you have enough square footage to complete the project.
• Downspouts – Determine the number and width of your downspouts and have these on hand, as well.
• Downspout Brackets – These will hold your downspouts to your home securely.
• End Caps – End caps close off the ends of gutters at the various corners of your home.
• Elbows – Half round elbows will allow you to maneuver your new gutter around your home’s architecture.
• Miters – Or corner pieces, are the gutter fittings that connect two gutters at a corner. They are available in inside and outside varieties.
• Outlets – Outlet tubes are the gutter fittings that attach the gutter to the downspout.
• Fasteners – Available in screws, nails, rivets and mortar plugs. Used to fasten various pieces of the gutter system together.
• Hangers – These come in a variety of sizes and styles and is what is used to attach the gutter to the home.

Gutter installation ranges from relatively simple to quite complex. If you’re planning to install your own half-round gutters, be sure you have all the tools on hand and you are familiar with the processes. There are many products that may be used to install a half round gutter system. The products mentioned in this article are just a few of the most common and should not be viewed as a complete list. If you do not feel comfortable installing your own gutters, contact a local contractor for advice or a quote.