Fixing Leaky Rain Gutters

Rain gutters take a lot of abuse.

Fixing leaky rain gutters.

First check for signs of standing water and sagging. End caps splices drop outlets and miters. You ll find patch kits at home improvement centers for about 10. Feather the roofing cement out on the surrounding area to flatten any steep edges.

Buy a product that s specifically formulated to seal gutter seams. A tube of sealant costs about 5. Standing water in gutters eventually will rust galvanized steel seams or seep through the seams in aluminum gutters. Rushing water during rainstorms exposure to weather extremes heavy loads of snow in the coldest climes clogs of fallen leaves and the general ravages of time.

But first let s discuss you can t afford to ignore a leaky gutter. Butyl rubber caulks marketed by dap as their butyl flex line is an excellent choice for repairing leaky gutters. The caulk adheres quickly and as it cures it remains flexible. Adjust or add gutter hangers as needed see more about hangers below.

If your gutters are leaking the prime suspects are the joints between sections. Time after time we see the failed efforts of well intentioned diy ers head up the ladder and attempt to silicone and spray their way to success. However more often then not weeks or even days later the leak returns to the befuddlement of the home owner. Repair larger holes using a gutter patch kit or a scrap of metal flashing glued down with sealant.

One of the most common repairs we complete out in the field is to seal leaky gutters. Water leaking between gutter and fascia. The gutters then direct the water to a downspout allowing the water to run down until it reaches the ground. The butyl flex caulk applies well in cold and hot temperatures.

If the holes are larger than nail holes use tin snips to cut a strip of flashing the same amterial as the gutter wide enough to fill the area. Seal leaky gutter joints and small holes using gutter sealant applied from the inside the gutter. Bend the strip to fit and embed the flashing in the cement. When there is rain the water is expected to roll down the roof and into the gutters.