The rule of thumb is that you should never take leaking gutters lightly. If you do, you will be ready for water damage, erosion of your foundation, mold growth, damage to walls, and landscape erosion, among other things. In a few words, your home’s structural integrity will be compromised. Gutters can leak at various places. The most common ones we have found are corners, seams, and rust holes.
There can be various causes behind your leaking gutters. A How to Repair Leaky Gutters gutter that is poorly sealed at joints will leak after some time. If you have metal gutters, they will fall prey to rust over time. Misalignment of gutters can also cause them to leak due to stress. Consistently clogged gutters may also develop cracks. Or, your old sealant may lose its properties and allow water to leak.
You cannot make your gutters leak-proof. Gutters are bound to leak due to wear and tear. The best defensive action is to repair them at the earliest. As time passes, your small leaks can balloon into massive ones. Now, it will be very difficult to handle them. Consider this article a small guide, which will help you control your leaking gutters. Below you will also find some DIY gutter repair tips to handle leaks like a professional.
Tools You Will Need
A good leak repair is only possible with appropriate tools. Before starting, you must have these tools within reach.
- For Safety: A sturdy ladder, gloves, safety glasses.
- For Cleaning: A wire brush, scrub, gutter scoop, hose, putty knife, and some sort of cleaner.
- For Cutting: Tin snips
- For Repair: Metal primer, epoxy putty, mesh patch (preferably aluminum), rust-resistant paint.
- For Sealing: Silicone caulk, roofing cement, good-quality sealant.
We recommend that you use only good-quality tools. When it comes to the selection of sealant, there can be no compromises. Always go for high-quality sealants made by a reputed brand. Make sure that the sealant is designed for outdoor use. Lastly, use silicone-based sealants as they are water-proof and offer flexibility like none other.
Repair Instructions
Here are detailed repair instructions for your leaky gutters. Make sure you don’t skip any step.
For Gutter Seams
- Remove any debris and rinse the area. Make sure it’s dried before moving forward.
- Remove old sealant residue. You can use a putty knife or any other scraper.
- Take sandpaper and sand the area lightly. Don’t apply too much pressure lest it misalign the sections. Ensure a smooth surface.
- Apply new sealant along the seam. Make sure that no gap is left.
- Press the gutter sections together.
Always use top-quality sealant to get a waterproof gutter repair.
For Rust Holes
- Remove rust from the affected area completely. You can use a wire brush or sandpaper. Make sure the surface is free from rust particles.
- If the rust is minor, coat the area with metal primer and let it dry. It will help prevent further corrosion.
- Plug the small holes with roofing cement. Take an adequate amount of cement or epoxy putty and fill the holes with it. Use a putty knife to smoothen the surface.
- If the gutter holes are large, use tin snips to cut aluminum patches. Make sure the patch is larger than the hole by at least an inch. Use roofing cement to secure the patch.
- Take silicone sealant and close all the edges of the patch with it.
- Now apply metal primer on all the repaired areas.
- Lastly, apply rust-resistant paint to secure the area against future leaks.
Test Your Repairs
Once you are finished, let the repairs be for some time. After the curing time is over, test your repairs by allowing water to run through the gutters. You can use a garden hose for this purpose. Keep your eyes open for any leaks. Double-check repaired areas. If water is still leaking, try reapplying the sealant.
Prevent Your Gutters from Future Leaks
You can take some steps to decrease the chances of future leaks. Make sure your gutters are cleaned at least twice a year, more if necessary. If you have lots of fallen leaves, use a blower now and then. Another good option is to install gutter guards to prevent debris from entering your gutter system. Apply corrosion protection coatings. Get professional help and have your slopes checked. Lastly, make sure your gutters are properly aligned. These preventive measures can surely save you a lot in repair costs.
Get Professional Help
If you notice no improvement in water leaking, the affected section of your gutter has to be replaced. We won’t recommend you to do it yourself, it’s better to call a professional gutter replacement service. Also, if your gutter needs complex repairs, or your leaks are persistent, get professional help. Include periodic gutter inspections in your home maintenance calendar. DIY fixes can save you some money on minor repairs, but they are no substitute for professional gutter repairs.
Gutter repair is a challenging task but with the right instructions, you can fix common issues yourself. But for more complex issues, it is better to call experts for durable solutions and ensure water damage prevention. Whether you do it yourself or get professionals to do it for you, never delay leaky gutter repairs.
