Gutter problems are common in the fall and winter due to an increased amount of debris and cooling temperatures. When gutters break, cause damage to your roof, windows, siding, and foundation can happen. To prevent more costly repairs from happening before you can get professionals to help, here are some DIY repair tips.
Why Gutters Fail
Gutters can fail due to direct trauma or age. You may see sagging, overflowing, leaking, or pooling runoff. Fixing the problem temporarily with inexpensive DIY methods will prevent long-term damage, but be aware that a leaky gutter is best fixed by a professional for long-term stabile results.
Problems are usually a result of a faulty joint or a hole in the gutter, which are thankfully quick to patch up until help arrives. Quick action can save your week and allow you to schedule a professional gutter inspection and repair at your leisure.
- Note: If you have any barriers to doing gutter repair work safely, such as not having the proper equipment or physical ability to get the work done, please call a professional immediately and try and order repairs as soon as possible.
For Holes in the Gutter
If you catch a hole when it’s small enough, you’ll have an easier time patching it. Waiting longer will cause more damage. Overall, if this is your only problem, you can get by with this DIY repair for a while. For both types of holes, be sure to start your project when the forecast calls for clear and sunny skies.
For small holes:
- Apply plastic roofing cement over the holes.
- Fill the holes completely and let the cement dry.
For large holes:
- Use tin snips to cut a strip of flashing. This must be the same material as the gutter. Make sure the strip is wide enough to fully cover the area.
- Put roofing cement in the area around the hole.
- Bend the strip to fit and embed the flashing in the cement.
- Make sure there are no gaps at all.
- Wait for the first layer of cement to dry.
- Place another layer of roofing cement on the surrounding area.
Pro tip: For gutters that have split in half, try using a silicone sealant to tie things together until you can get a pro to replace the part.
For Faulty Downspouts
When your gutter downspouts are damaged, you should replace them as needed. As the gutters age, gravity can cause their joints to open up. Earthquakes or other trauma can also jostle and loosen the joints from below. Here’s what you should do if you notice your downspouts aren’t functioning as they should:
- Measure the length of the worn out downspout.
- Buy a new downspout replacement from your hardware store.
- Remove any screws or connecting hardware at the joint.
- Disassemble the worn portion of the downspout.
- Insert the new downspout and secure with the screws and connecting hardware.
Note: This process may involve removing other gutter or downspout sections near the leaky joint first.
For Leaky Joints/Seams
If you have a gutter problem, most likely it is occurring in the joints. In fact, this is where the most common leaks occur. If you find that this area is leaking, then you can start the DIY repair process:
- Disconnect the joint. Remove the caulk and screws. When done correctly, the gutter pieces should come apart easily.
- Clean the seam and remove all caulk, dirt and buildup with a steel brush. If you need to repaint, this is the right to do so.
- Apply caulk to seal the inner lip of the downhill with the uphill part. Press them together until they have sealed properly.
- Replace any screws/hardware.
For Sagging Gutters
Over time, gutters can lose their perfect alignment. Normally, a gutter should drop about a quarter inch for every 10-feet in order to direct the water to the downspout. Sagging areas make this flow difficult. In this case, you should take care to fix the issue with these steps.
- Check the hangers that support the gutters. They most likely need to be replaced.
- If the gutters are bent from the sheer weight of debris and ice, you may have to replace them.
- To prevent sagging from excessive weight, add gutter guards to help prevent clogs all year long.
Noble Roofing: Your Reliable Source for Seamless Gutters
At Noble Roofing, we are committed to providing homeowners with the best gutter choices for their home. We offer a variety of different materials and colors to choose from, so your gutters will perfectly match the aesthetics of your home. Leaks are virtually eliminated and every seamless gutter is specifically crafted to match the structure in which it will be installed.
Make sure that your home is properly protected from the damaging natural effects by getting a high-quality, seamless gutter system. Give us a call today at (703) 404-0505 for an in-home consultation. You can also use our contact form while you are here on our website.