Gazebos are exciting, relaxing, and perfect for hanging out in the great outdoors; however, constant falling leaves and heavy rainfall can damage the surrounding area. Some gazebo owners choose to clean them regularly, while others use gutters to do the work for them. Have you thought about getting gutters on your gazebo?
Gazebos don’t necessarily need gutters, but they will prevent debris from piling on the outside of the structure. Besides that, they can be used to collect rainwater to water your plants. You can easily clean them with blowers and other tools. If you get gutters, consider the different sizes.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about attaching gutters to your gazebo:
- Whether or not they’re a good fit for your gazebo
- How to install and maintain gutters for the long-run
- Various issues associated with installing gutters on your gazebo
Should Your Gazebo Have Gutters?
Like most structures, sloped gazebos can benefit from having gutters. They’ll be able to stay clean throughout the year, preventing your yard from getting dirty and soaked. If you’ve ever tried to walk underneath a gazebo without gutters when it’s raining, then you know how bad it can be.
West Michigan Roofing proves that gutters can prevent corrosion, erosion, and flooding, but they also offer many other benefits.
Here’s a list of reasons that you may or may not want to get gutters on your gazebo:
- If your gazebo is sloped, then gutters will make a big difference. Flat-topped gazebos have everything piled on top, including leaves and other fallen debris. The rainfall isn’t so bad since it slowly drips, but if your roof is slanted or sloped, the rain will fall off quickly. Add gutters to stay dry during storms.
- Are there a lot of trees over the gazebo? When leaves, branches, twigs, pines, and other debris falls on a gazebo, it’s going to slide off the side. If you or a guest walks under it at the wrong time, you could end up getting hurt. Gutters will hold the debris until you’re ready to remove it.
- Do you live in a dry climate? If there’s no a lot of debris or rain, then gutters might be pointless for your gazebo. They’re designed to collect plant life and water, but without those two components, you’d be wasting your money. Note that some gazebos come with gutters, in which case you should use them.
- Do you have a flat gazebo? As mentioned in the first suggestion, flat-topped gazebos don’t require gutters. It should also be noted that snow can pile on top of a flat gazebo, eventually causing it to crack. Without gutters, you’ll be able to access the roof easier and remove the snow without a problem.
- Is the gazebo standing over a hot tub, pond, or swimming pool? Many homeowners prefer the unique design of a multipurpose gazebo. If any of these water features are found under the structure, gutters will keep them clean from rain and debris. The phosphates found in rain and plant life leads to excess algae growth.
As you can see, there are quite a few considerations before you get gutters for your gazebo. Again, if your gazebo came with gutters, then there’s no doubt that you should install them. They’re a free tool that will undeniably make your life a bit easier.
To learn how you can DIY installation at home, proceed to the next section.
How to Install Gutters on a Gazebo
Installing gutters on your gazebo can be done with one to two people. If you don’t know how to do it, you’re in the right place. This helpful video guide from Seumas2 on YouTube will bring you through the process:
If you want written instructions, here they are:
- Start by measuring the length of each edge of the gazebo. You’ll need to know how many gutters you’ll need and how big they should be. Keep in mind that there are several materials, sizes, and colors that you can choose. Sort through these options, then head to the next step.
- Cut the gutters down to size. It’s more than likely that you bought gutters that were just a bit too big since they rarely come in the perfect size. Use shears to cut them down after you’ve measured and marked the gutters. Always wear safety goggles when you’re cutting sharp metal gutters.
- Attach the gutters to the gazebo’s edges. You can use a drill and screws to firmly attach them to the gazebo. There should be about ½ of an inch of exposed space between each gutter and a space for a corner piece at each corner. You’ll need these spaces for the next step.
- Install the corner pieces on the corners of the gazebo and the seamers to connect each length. The seamer should go over every portion that one piece of the gutter touches another. The purpose of a seamer is to provide aesthetic appeal and a secure connection for the gutter lengths.
- Consider adding a downspout to the gutter (Optional). The downspout is designed to allow water to pour down the side rather than collect in the gutter and overflow. It also allows small debris to fall through. The downspout should go along one of the legs of the gazebo, preferably out of sight. Cut a hole with shears, slide in the downspout, and drill it in place.
Installing gutters on gazebos is much easier than covering an entire house. You don’t have to worry about a lot of the technical aspects of the installation since gazebos are so small. Again, if you’re not comfortable with the DIY installation, it’s best to get a quote from a team of experts.
Problems You Might Encounter With Gutters
Gutters offer a plethora of benefits, but did you know that there are a few problems that you might encounter as well? Unfortunately, they need to be well maintained, so they don’t become a hazardous nuisance.
- Overflowing gutters can cause cracks. If you’re not careful and let them get filled with debris, your gutters will weigh too much. The excess weight will pull down on the gazebo, causing small fractures along the edges. Over time, these cracks will become bigger, leading to irreparable damage.
- Too much buildup leads to mildew and rust. Again, if you don’t remove the debris from the gutters, you’ll be regretful. Rust and mildew are no joke. Rust can permanently ruin the gutters, while mildew leads to foul odors. Both of these issues are unwanted and easily avoidable.
- You have to clean them regularly. The side effects are annoying, but many people are bothered by the simple task of cleaning the gutters. If you don’t have the time of day to remove debris, apply rust preventative spray, and dry it out occasionally, you might not want to get gutters on your gazebo.
Conclusion
Gazebos don’t need gutters, but they can benefit massively from them. You’ll stay dry and comfortable under the gazebo without worry about rainwater pouring down the sloped edges. Furthermore, it only takes a few minutes to remove the leaves, pines, and other debris from the gutters.
Here’s a rundown of the post:
- Gutters keep you clean and dry, while also preventing corrosion and flooding.
- If your gazebo is sloped, then you should consider getting gutters.
- You can install gutters in less than a few hours or hire pros to do it for you.
- Make sure you maintain your gutters to prevent mildew, mold, rust, and structural damage.