A guttering system is intended to direct the water from the foundation and walls of a house. But, even if it is a durable, high-quality gutter, there is always a risk of leaks. Signs of leaks indicate that the system is not working correctly. There may be various reasons behind gutter leaks.
Minor issues are repairable easily. However, for significant complications, the leaking gutter needs replacement. So, how will you repair the gutter of homeowners?
Causes of gutter leaks
There are various potential reasons behind the gutter leaking problems.
Wear and tear
A rain gutter needs to withstand different weather elements. It starts wearing out over time. Besides, it happens especially to the older gutters. Materials, manufacturing methods, and designs that are more than 20 years old cannot maintain the best standards. So, old gutters may have leakage problems. Rubber sealants also have a shorter lifespan.
Structural damage
Gutters are external components of a house. When you repair the gutter, you need to place the ladder against it. It may cause physical damage to the system. Moreover, snow and heavy tiles from the roof slip onto the gutter and lead to damage.
Besides, when the debris build is left for long, its weight puts pressure on the gutter. If a fitting is detached from the fascia board, it results in gutter sagging issues. So, it causes the seal to get compressed and lets water escape easily through the gap. If there is a crack in the gutter, it affects the overall integrity and function of the system.
Contraction and expansion
Depending on the gutter material, the structure may expand or contract due to extreme temperatures. Sometimes, gutters cause creaking and clicking sounds on hot days. The sound is produced because of the rubbing action against the brackets.
Modern gutters are indeed intended to endure the material expansion process. The interiors of the gutter have insertion marks to indicate how much you should push in the gutter. It facilitates contraction/expansion without affecting the seals. However, repeated contraction/expansion will lead to deterioration of the gutter. Eventually, you may find gutter leaks and other problems.
Sometimes, joints get detached, and rain gutters ultimately pop out of the clips. It will lead to the failure of the system. If the gutter is too short or too long during installation, it results in issues in the future.
Fluctuation in temperature causes exposure of the seal. So, while dealing with the gutter project, you should focus on these problems.
Grit or dirt in the seal
Too low temperatures can cause contraction of the gutter material. When the rain gutter shrinks, it can leave sediment and bits of dirt in the joint. If specks of dirt are stuck onto the seal, the gutter won't sit properly. It leaves a gap to let water escape.
Most of these problems are preventable with the right care of the gutter. Know how to maintain and repair a gutter system and help your clients.
Steps for repairing the leaking gutter and damaged downpipes
If there is a leak in the rain gutter, you need to focus on 3 major parts.
Joint
It is the part that joins 2 gutter sections together. There is potential leakage if the seal near the joint does not work well.
Length
Damage from ladders, overloaded rain gutters, and falling branches may cause cracks and splits in gutter lengths.
Downpipe joint
A blockage can cause damage to the downpipe joint because of the water pressure near the joint.
Use a sealant to fix a gutter joint leak
A small amount of silicone needs to be inserted into a gap. Some people apply it to the outer side of the joint. They think that it will make the joint watertight. But, ordinary silicone sealant will not give effective results though it can only fill the gap. So, you need to buy quality sealants intended for gutters.
Most gutter sealants are based on butyl rubber and work better. They are weather-proof seals suitable for exterior applications.
There are some steps for using the sealant:
- Unclip the part of the rain gutter sitting over the damaged seal.
- Identify the area near the seal and clean it properly by removing dirt.
- Use a sealant gun to press out the line of sealant near the seal's edge.
- Reattach the rain gutter considering the insertion mark shown in the fitting.
- It will create a seal for the gutter.
You can now test the rain gutter by flushing water through it.
Guide to repairing the downpipes
The most crucial step is to identify the leak from the downpipe. Only the removal of the clogs may not repair your leaks. You have to replace the cracked downpipe or leaking joint. You can do it easily by eliminating the blockage.
If you do not think of replacing the part, buy weatherproof tape to find a solution.
Clean the affected part to make it dirt-free. Loose paint also gets removed with this approach. Using the tape, you have to wrap around the leaking gutter joint. It will help you cover the cracks. With your fingers, you can smooth out the tape. Test the gutter to know whether you have solved the problem.
Choosing a replacement part for the gutter
Depending on the gutter's age, finding the part exactly like the original one may be tricky. But, many gutter fittings are interchangeable, and you need to check the accurate size to pick the right one.
In the case of downpipes, you can easily find square or round models. Measure the downpipe that needs to be replaced. It will help you pick the right piece from the store. You can make your gutter repair project successful.
This brief guide will enable you to fix leaky gutters with the essential tools and accessories.
Some professional knowledge and skills are essential to repair damaged gutters. Replace the gutter if it is seriously damaged.