Fix The Gutters

If you have to resort to a toothbrush for crevices.

Fix the gutters.

If you re in a rush feel free to clean out your gutter with a power washer or a. If your gutter is still basically sound the easiest way to stop the leak is by covering the damaged area with roof and gutter repair tape available at home centers and hardware stores. Next remove any oxidation and apply the sealer photos 1 and 2. The cleaner it is the better your patch will hold over time.

Most gutters are held in place with large spikes that pass through tubular sleeves called ferrules. Whether it s a corner or straight joint the repair is pretty much the same. Luckily most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. If it is large use a piece of galvanized metal flashing.

If the hole is small you can use plastic roofing cement. And even seamless gutters aren t immune to drips. Rinse out the gutter and dry it off. Gutter leaks usually start at rusty spots or seams that have opened up because of expansion and contraction.

Keep flushing out the gutter with more clean water until it starts draining the excess water properly. Dump a small bucket of water into the gutter to wash out any leftover dirt and grime. While not a permanent fix you can generally get another season or two out of the gutters as long as the damage isn t extensive by applying a silicone or rubber gutter caulk or sealant. Learning how to fix leaky gutters is an easy inexpensive project you can do yourself.

And it s worth the effort. Once you re finished cleaning dry out the gutter with a clean cloth or paper towel. Clean the area with household spray cleaner a scrub brush and rags to get it as clean as possible. They have seams where the gutters connect to preformed corners and to downspout outlets.