Gutter Screws Vs Rivets

It s pretty easy and cheap to replace old gutter spikes with screws once they separate from the eave of your house.

Gutter screws vs rivets.

Never put rivets on the bottom because they could cause the gutter to leak. There weren t any dimensions listed but common sense says they would only need to be around 1 8 x 1 4. Both have a hex head for using with a nut driver. Locate screws or rivets in the sides of the gutter never in the bottom.

Gutter nails have been a popular method for attaching gutters but gutter screws offer certain advantages that can create a better overall system. Rivet the first elbow to the outlet in the bottom of the gutter then one screw on the top part of the downspout to hold everything together. Rivets can also be used with washers. The primary difference between gutter nails and screws is that the latter produces a much better hold.

Clamping these rivets down during the drilling process ensures that your gutter will not move and your drilling will be precise. Secure the gutters with pop rivets or stainless steels screws at the sides of the joined sections. We stock zip screws to fasten downspouts and elbows together and long zip screws for fastening gutter hangers to fascia. Machine screws with washers and nuts are not only extremely strong they also have a large backing area.

Where gutter nails can come loose over time these will stay put. Screws wood and sheet metal are stronger than rivets of the same diameter because they have more cross section but they have little backing area. After the holes are drilled for your rivets it s time to remove those clamps and start placing your rivets into place. The ferrul is a bit flimsy in comparison to the screw so is easy to crush if the screw is over torqued.

If you re installing copper gutters we recommend copper stainless steel or plain stainless steel zip screws. I really hate rivets. Downspouts with rivets clog up then you have to drill the rivet. Shop screws in a variety of sizes and materials.

If the run requires two sections of gutter overlap them by 8 inches and use a 3 8 inch long self tapping stainless steel screws or pop rivets in two rows of four each to join them. I d probably only need 20 at the most short span. Step 4 insert the rivets. I m looking to buy pop rivets to do some gutter replacements but the smallest advertised for gutter work pack available was a 100pk.

Attach end caps photo by mary beth montgomery. Never put rivets on the bottom because they could cause the gutter to leak. Yes and no to both stainless steel screws are nice hard to hold on to because they are non magnetic. Differences in gutter nails vs.