Gutter Installation Opinion

[monkeyplasm]

Hey all,

Been a long time since I posted here but I still read regularly. I need some opinions on some gutters I just had put up on my house. Really I'd like to know if you'd accept the job as depicted or not, so I can determine if I'm off base in my assessment.

The issue lies in the joints around a bay window. Please excuse my lousy cut/paste/resize skills. Hopefully the forum software doesn't resize out too much detail.

Personally I describe the job as 'beat to fit' but feel free to tell me otherwise.

View media item 108033
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[Bill Bowman]

I don't think I would be real satisfied with that job. You're assessment is IMHO, accurate.

 

[LeonardY]

I know, I wouldn't.
What are your options?

 

[jonshonda]

I would "think" there would be a prefabbed part for an angle like that (like how there are prefabbed 90's, 45's etc), but maybe not?

I'm sure they take a fair amount of time and patience to make by hand, and if guys are only used to making straight runs of gutter, this what you get?

Something like this? Should be 22.5 degrees on those corners I would think?

https://www.guttersupply.com/p/k-style-outside-bay-strip-miter

 

[nadogail]

Looks like a hack job by an amateur.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Looks OK (not great) to me, I've seen much worse. Do they leak?
Pre-formed corners would look a little better but will have more joints. Also probably not a common part, especially if it is an odd angle.
The end cap at an angle is also challenging and probably not a common item.

 

[Bill Bowman]

As mentioned, a pre-made trim piece wouldd be best.

 

[LOW1]

To me they look fine in the distance view.

The up close views look less pristine but in reality what can you realistically expect? Are there premade fittings for those angles? Is there a machine that gutter installers typically have to make "custom" angled bends?

If the gutters drain and don't leak I am not sure what more you should expect.

It would be nice to hear from some professional installers.

 

[dcg9381]

If the gutters drain and don't leak I am not sure what more you should expect.

The whole problem with that, is that they can seal that gap with a little sealant on the inside and you'd not know for a while.

Looks "beat to fit" to me also - total opposite of seamless, but I don't know how to install these either.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Looks OK (not great) to me, I've seen much worse. Do they leak?
Pre-formed corners would look a little better but will have more joints. Also probably not a common part, especially if it is an odd angle.
The end cap at an angle is also challenging and probably not a common item.

This would be my assessment...
Yes, there are pre-made bends; but for each one you use you add an additional joint that is likely to leak. and they certainly don't come in those angles.

 

[The Cobbler]

coping joints is becoming normal, done right they look way better than prefabbed corners.
those coped joints are mediocre IMO.
talk to your installer

 

[monkeyplasm]

Thanks you for your replies thus far.

For comparison, here are the original 1990's gutters (on a neighbor's house). I see these and note they are not sloppily beat into shape. I also note the joints are riveted and glued yet still they do not utilize pre-made angled bend pieces. This is representative of the result I expected, if not better, since these are 25+ years old.

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According to the installer what I received in the OP pics is the pinnacle of gutter installation today. I guess quality workmanship got lost in the last 25 years.

Hopefully there is an experienced gutter installer on the Journal who can chime in.

 

[coachrick]

"Beat to fit"

That's a new one on me!!! Mind if I use it???

 

[rsparks64]

They look like I did it. We had some installed last year and they look great. Some neighbor bragged about his install being cheaper and when I saw it I could easily tell why his was cheaper.

 

[LeonardY]

I found this. It looks like you got the best quality available today.

 

[mcspeed]

Not acceptable IMO. If the installer can’t match the previous work he should say so so you can opt out before having the substandard work done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jdsac]

You paid for a professional job- if you wanted it to be wrong, you could have done it yourself, it's homeowner quality

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I don’t mind hiring tradesmen to do some things.
But i just hate dealing with the effers that think a license and a truck makes them an expert craftsman.
It usually takes me longer to do a job, but it is faster than paying some schmuck and then having to go correct all the fup-ucks.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I can get that result by myself. I don't need any help botching it.

 

[mossy66]

"Beat to fit"

That's a new one on me!!! Mind if I use it???

I think the whole saying is "Hammer (or beat) to fit; paint to match".
Unfortunately it's getting more common..

Gerry

 

[Northislander]

When i take my truck to the dealership for service they used to always offer to wash it and i always say "only if your going to wash the whole thing, I don't mind driving a dirty truck but I hate driving a half washed truck" They have learned not to wash my truck. If I am going to pay someone to do something i expect it to be done better than i could do it.

 

[Busted Knucles]

Nothing a little caulk wont fix. I would run it as is.

 

[cruzer75]

Were the expectations clear what you wanted up front? Did you assume they would give you a level and they assumed diffrent?

I hate dealing with other people and getting what I want...do it at work a day. Need to be clear up front.

I would call them back, show them the expectation and say fix it.

 

[Bretny]

Was this the cheapest bid? If so maybe taking the cheapest bid wasn't to smart.

 

[MerlinsBeard]

In general, with contractors, I do my best to make an effort to provide drinks like water and gatorade and maybe some carbs like bananas and cookies to grease the wheels sort to speak. No guarantee that the result will be any better, but for the amount of money you're spending, I do it with the hope that it translates to better quality workmanship. I've had decent luck with that strategy so far.

 

[Bert_]

Why even put gutters on the bay window? Not enough water to worry about in my opinion.

 

[Alchase]

They look like I did it.

I actually laughed out loud!
Then I thought to my self,
Wait, he has seen my work!
LOL