Ask a Prepper
  • DIY |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Contact
ask a prepper survival every day
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Survival Knowledge
  • How To’s
  • Store
  • About Claude Davis
  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Survival Knowledge
  • How To’s
  • Store
  • About Claude Davis
No Result
View All Result
Menu
Ask a Prepper
Search
No Result
View All Result
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Home All Articles
9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your Gutters

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your Gutters

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your Gutters

KJ Barber by KJ Barber
August 4, 2020
8

Have you ever noticed old gutters lying by the side of the road, or in a trash pile somewhere? If so, you might not want to pass them by next time. As they say, “One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure”. In the case of gutters being tossed out, this old familiar phrase is so true!

There are several creative and clever ideas that could come to life with old gutters. Even your existing gutters might not be utilized as much as they could be at times. For example, do you have a downspout lined up in a way so that rain water running off can go into a large barrel? Rain water is excellent for watering gardens and lawns. If you save it in this manner, you could have it on hand during dry spells.

However, once you or someone else is considering replacing the gutters, don’t throw the old parts out. There are several ways to put them to good use. And, if you don’t see any lying around anywhere, check with construction companies to see if they are willing to share leftover pieces with you.

The following is a mix of both very practical ways to utilize gutters off the grid, as well as ways to enhance living space and organize items for anywhere or anyone.

Related: 36 PVC DIY Projects for Your Homestead

#1. A Wall Garden

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your GuttersLeftover gutter pieces can be cut to your desired size, then mounted onto a fence, side of the house or garage, or anywhere you could mount them. Put them open side up to use as elongated planters.

Yes, they are narrow. So, you would use these planters to grow seedlings before transplanting, as well as herbs, succulents, or other small plants.

#2. Garden Edging

You could use old gutters to decorate, as well as help protect your garden space, by placing them around the edging, open side up. You can plant herbs and plants known to help keep pests away, such as the following:

  • Chives or Mint – to repel aphids, some beetles, mites, and rabbits;
  • Rosemary or Sage – to repel cabbage moths, some flies and beetles;
  • Garlic – to repel some beetles;
  • Basil – to repel flies, mosquitoes, and thrips;
  • Cilantro – to repel aphids, spider mites, and potato beetles.

#3. Organized Storage for Small Items

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your GuttersGutters can be cut up in small sections, about 4-6 inches or so, depending on what you want to organize.

Flip them on their side, so that the opening is on top and bottom, and line them up to organize things such as nails, screws, brushes, or small tools.

You could also mount these on a board or wall for storage slots.

#4. Catching Chicken Droppings

If you have chickens, you are probably well aware that keeping up with the droppings in the coop can be time consuming and tedious. But, if you take a gutter and place it under the roosts of the cage (open side up), droppings can be caught in there, rather than the floor.

I would suggest using a mounting system that would allow for the gutter trays to be removed for easier cleaning.

Related: DIY Chicken Tunnel (Step-by-Step Guide)

#5. Indoor Garden Shelf

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your GuttersCut the pieces of gutter to the desired size, and attach them to a wall to use as a small planter for herbs and succulents.

You can paint the outside of the pieces to go with your particular decor.

This is a great option for anyone who is short on counter space, but still wants to have fresh herbs within easy reach to use while cooking.

Related: How to Grow Medicinal Herbs On Your Windowsill

#6. Cable Organizer

It’s not uncommon to have a mess of cables and wires around the house, if you are hooked up to power and devices. They can be unsightly, in the way, a trip hazard, and a tangled mess. Unless, of course, you do something to help organize and hide them.

By attaching a piece of gutter under the desk, it can hold all the cords and channel them right to the electrical outlets. You could also use them on a wall to conceal wires and cables.

#7. Waterscapes

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your GuttersYou could also get creative with gutter pieces in creating a unique water feature to hang on the side of your shed, fence, home, or garage.

Hang each piece in a manner that would drain into the one below it when it rains, until it reaches a large tub at the bottom.

In that tub, you could have fish or water plants.

Related: DIY Mosquito Trap That Really Works!

#8. Aquaponics Gutter Gardens

This project is perhaps a bit more ambitious, but gutters can provide a unique opportunity in aquaponic gardening. Aquaponics is a time-consuming project to get started, but you will end up with a unique self-watering system for your garden, and it could be done using old gutters.

I could really dedicate an entire article in setting up this system, but save the gutters in case you want to do this someday!

#9. Built-in Ice Trough in a Table

9 Ingenious Ways to Make the Most of Your Gutters
Source

This is perhaps one of the most fun ideas I have seen in a while. Cut out a section in the middle of a wooden table top, then mount a piece of gutter from underneath, with the open side up.

You can then put ice and beverages in the trough for entertaining. Or, if you don’t want ice and beverages, you could plant some of the herbs mentioned earlier to keep bothersome insects away.

As I mentioned earlier, some of these ideas are great for living off the grid, while others are more frivolous and just fun. However, each is a great way to repurpose old gutters, rather than just toss them out.

You may also like:

How Much Land Do You Need to Be Self-Sufficient?

When And Why You Should Chew Yarrow (Video)

How To Cook In A Cactus

Do You Know Your Rights Under Martial Law?

How To Build A Drum Smoker

ShareTweetPin36

Comments 8

  1. Gma says:
    3 years ago

    Great ideas! My son hung some in child’s playroom for kids books. Works great!

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
  2. Heidi says:
    3 years ago

    cute! thx!

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
  3. Clergylady says:
    3 years ago

    Some interesting uses for gutters. I’m still watching for gutters for water catchment.

    Did you like this comment? 1
    1
    Reply
  4. IvyMike says:
    3 years ago

    Cool, I love vertical wall gardens, don’t have a proper wall for one, though, the lettuce in the pic is real pretty.

    Did you like this comment? 1
    2
    Reply
  5. City Chick says:
    3 years ago

    Good ideas, but u fortunately, No discarded gutters here laying on the side of the road. All recycled at the junk yard for the value of the metal. Heck, they’ll even try to pull the gutters and downspouts off your house if they think you still have the original ones which are heavier and worth more money.

    Did you like this comment? 3
    Reply
  6. Gallo Pazzesco says:
    3 years ago

    Now THIS is fun and new thinkin’ right here! THIS is the kind of stuff us old school preppers who thought we had seen it all love! Thank you!

    Did you like this comment?
    1
    Reply
  7. Walter Hinsdale says:
    6 months ago

    Where are some ideas for making those little lantern holders for your front yard? The little black man characters with the typical big lips.

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply
    • Dameon Hersh says:
      6 months ago

      How about a lawn sprinkler too? Featuring ole Big Nosed Fentanyl Floyd, sprawled out on the ground with water spraying out of his Big Nose while holding a counterfeit $20?

      Did you like this comment?
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

FOLLOW US ON:

PREPPER RECOMMENDS

YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE AN EMP STRIKE WITHOUT THIS

IF YOU SEE THIS PLANT IN YOUR BACKYARD BURN IT IMMEDIATELY

HOW TO GET 295 POUNDS OF EXTRA FOOD FOR JUST $5 A WEEK

THE AWESOME DIY DEVICE THAT TURNS AIR INTO FRESH WATER

5 INGENIOUS WAYS TO REFRIGERATE YOUR FOOD WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE INVISIBLE TO LOOTERS

Banner Generator

LATEST ARTICLES

If You Have This On Your Property, Hide It Immediately

This Is How The Government Is Stopping You From Living Independently

DIY Poor Man’s Greenhouse

Why You Should Put A Silver Coin In Water

7 Stores Where You Can Buy Cheap Survival Food

Essential Survival Know-Hows Modern People Have Forgotten

What Happens If China Becomes The Ruling Economic Power Of The World

How To Treat And Heal Wounds With Sugar

5 Ways To Actually Use FEMA To Your Advantage

Long-Lasting Amish Burgers

How To Get Back Home After An EMP Strike

Why You Should Bury A Trash Can In Your Backyard

6 Signs Your Neighbor Will Become A Looter As Soon As SHTF

Ancient Types Of Homes You Can Build For Cheap

5 Unexpected Events Following An Economic Crisis That No One Talks About

How To Recondition Old Gasoline

Veggies You Only Plant Once And Harvest Forever

20 Prepping Items That Will Skyrocket In Price This Year

How To Use An Old Refrigerator For Survival

6 Places You Can Go Dumpster Diving For Your Prepper Stockpile

Great Depression Foods We Will All Be Eating Again Soon

Prepping Projects From The Bible

When The World Runs Out Of Food, This Is All You Need

Banner Bor

Banner TLW2

The Lost Ways Claude Davis

HOW TO

How To Recondition Old Gasoline

How To Remove Radioactive Particles From Water In Case Of A Nuclear Fallout

How To Make Bread Last For Up To 5 Years

How To Prepare Your Car For SHTF

How To Cook Steak On A Stone In The Wilderness

How To Craft A Deadly Slingshot

How To Make Your Chickens Lay More Eggs

How To Make And Can Evaporated Milk

How To Prepare For The Rising Energy Prices

How To Protect Your Garden From Looting Intruders

Vote for ask a Prepper

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON:

Survial Websites Prepper

Banner LSF Hamburger

Copyright © 2014-2023 Ask a Prepper

  • Home
  • All Articles
  • Ask a Prepper
  • About Claude Davis
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2014-2023 Ask a Prepper

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.