If you are planning to install new gutters and down pipes, it is probable you are going to remove the existing rain-water system. So start by looking at how it was put together.

Half round guttering is supported on brackets, these are usually fixed to a fascia at eaves-level, sometimes however they are nailed to the side if the roof rafters.

Ogee-shaped guttering often has a flat back and is fixed by screws driven through the gutter into the fascia behind.

We at Amazon Rainguard have an Ogee bracket so you do not put holes in the gutter or damage a section fitting it. You only damage a bracket when making a mistake with length etc.

Down pipes have interlocking sockets and spigots, generally loose-jointed, and may be secured to the house walls with down pipe brackets or screws driven through integral lugs on the socket ends of each pipe section.

Some of the problems you may have to overcome in dismantling a cast iron system are rust. All the fixings are likely to have corroded and there is little point in wasting time trying to undo them. Saw through fixing bolts, and drill the heads of rusted screws. Then have an assistant to help you lift them off their brackets-they are too heavy to manage single handed.

Next, remove all the gutter brackets and make good the fascia. Lift out offsets linking gutter outlets to their down pipes, then lever out the down pipe fixings so you can lift each length in turn.

Measure up carefully for your Amazon system-use the old system as a guide to work out what fittings will be needed. For house roofs, you should use 112mm wide gutter with 68mm down pipes; smaller sizes are used only for outbuildings or small bay window roofs. Amazon plastic guttering 2, 3, & 4m lengths down pipe comes in 2.5m 4m 5.5m lengths using longer lengths when possible to avoid unnecessary joints. Black, Grey & White are the most widely available colours, but Amazon do Brown and Caramel as alternatives

Start the installation by fixing the gutter brackets to the fascia boards. Each runoff guttering should have a fall from its closed top end to the point where it discharges into a down pipe; this should be about 5mm(1/5in) for every 1m (3ft) of a run. Fix the brackets at roughly 1m (3ft) intervals.
Fit a stop end to the first length of gutter and lift it into place. Add other lengths as required, Use corner fittings as necessary and fit running outlets at down pipe positions. Next make up the down pipe runs, clipping them to the wall every 2m 6(ft) and complete the job by running outlets to the tops of the down pipes.
Finally test the system by pouring a bucket of water into it.