Gutter leaks often occur at rusty spots or seams. To fix these problems, buy gutter repair tape from home centers and hardware stores. Then clean the area and wire-brush it thoroughly.
If a gutter section is sagging, it’s usually because the hangers are missing. Install fascia-hanger brackets, which hook under the front lip of the gutter.
1. Clean the Gutters
Getting your gutters clean will help keep them working properly. Clogged gutters are prone to overflow and water damage to the fascia board and roof of the home. They also create a breeding ground for pests and critters like mice and snakes who can chew their way through the gutter system.
Before beginning any repairs it is important to make sure the gutters are free of debris. A wire brush and a ladder are usually all you need to remove any loose debris. A trash bag is helpful for dropping the debris into as you go along. Then you can simply move on to the next section of the gutter system when it is full.
It is also a good idea to check the gutters for cracks and leaks. Leaks can often be repaired by resealing the gutter seams. If there is a gap you can use caulking to fill the hole and keep water from flowing into the wall or rotting the gutter boards. Leaks in downspouts can be fixed by reattaching the downspout elbow or adding a downspout diverter to the gutter.
If you find a lot of gutter spikes sticking out of the gutter they need to be tapped back in. If a spike is missing it puts a heavier burden on the other spikes in that area which can cause them to loosen over time.
Another common problem is rust on the gutters. Rust is easy to fix by using a wire brush or a power washer. Once the rust is removed it is important to dry the area thoroughly before painting. Then use a good metal primer to protect the gutters from future rust. If the gutters are rusted badly you may need to consider replacing them.
2. Clean the Downspouts
One of the most common gutter problems is clogged downspouts. Homeowners should clean their downspouts twice a year to prevent this from happening. Once in the spring before heavy rainfall from summer storms and once in the fall to help prevent potential ice dams during winter. When a downspout becomes clogged it is usually because of leaves that have become lodged in the downspout. It can also be caused by a kink in the downspout where it bends and isn’t draining properly. One way to test this is to run water through the downspout and see if it flows over the gutter directly nearby.
If the water doesn’t flow over the gutter then it is probably a sign of a clogged downspout. A good way to fix this is to take a garden hose and flush the downspout out. If the downspout still isn’t working correctly then you may need to re-install it. Another thing to check is the slope of the downspouts. If the downspouts aren’t sloped away from your house then you could be getting water overflow and even leaking into your home.
To correct this problem you can either reposition the downspout supports or install splash blocks that will direct the water away from your home. Also make sure that the downspouts aren’t loose by using a rivet tool to tighten them up.
If none of these fixes work then you can bring in the big guns and use a power tool. A leaf blower, wet and dry vac or pressure washer can all be used to remove the debris from a clogged downspout. Make sure you wear protective eyewear and thick suede gloves for this task.
3. Check the Slope of the Gutters
If you find that water is pooling in one area of your gutter system, it’s likely that the gutters aren’t angled correctly. If this is the case, you’ll need to re-pitch them.
Gutter slope is important for directing water to downspouts, and a properly pitched gutter will flow faster than one that isn’t angled correctly. It’s also important for preventing water from overflowing when it rains. Incorrect pitch can lead to a variety of problems, including damage to your home’s fascia boards and roof.
To check the pitch of your gutters, simply get up on a ladder and look down the length of the gutter run. If the gutters are angled properly, they should slope down toward the downspout about 1/4 inch for every 10 feet of gutter. If you notice that the gutters are not angled correctly, you can adjust them by removing some of the spikes and tapping them back into place with a hammer.
In some cases, the issue may be caused by a hole or rust spot in the gutter. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to contact a professional for help. They will have the tools and experience needed to repair the holes or rust spots and ensure that your gutters are angled correctly.
If you’re concerned about the cost of a professional gutter repair, you can try to fix the problem yourself by removing the gutter hangers and bending them back into place. This can be a time-consuming and difficult task, but it’s a lot cheaper than hiring someone to do the job for you. Just be sure to use a cordless drill with caution so you don’t damage your gutters or fascia boards while trying to re-pitch them.
4. Check the Fit of the Gutters
Besides replacing worn out or dented sections of gutters, check to make sure they fit properly. This will keep rainwater flowing and prevent sagging. Unlike the old sleeve-and-spike gutters, the modern seamless gutters are attached to the house by fascia hanger brackets that hold them in place on the face of the eaves and strap hangers that secure them to the roof. Loose or missing hangers may need to be re-nailed with 6d galvanized roofing nails. Then cover the nail heads with roof cement to prevent leaks.
Gutter problems can also be caused by loose downspouts. These can cause stress on the gutters and lead to loosening of the straps that attach downspouts to the gutters. Ensure the downspouts are secured to the gutters with either self-tapping screws or pop rivets.
If a section of the gutter is missing a downspout hole, install one by first punching out a square hole with a jigsaw. Then fit a downspout drop outlet into the hole and screw or rivet it in place. To avoid water leaking over the edge of the gutter, a piece of wire screening patch should be fitted into the hole and spread with roof cement around it.
If your gutters are sloped correctly, but still have standing water in them, the problem is probably with a clogged downspout or underground drain. If you can’t find a clog, it could be that the gutters are pitched incorrectly. This can be checked by driving a nail about 1/2-in. below the shingles at the low end of a gutter run. Stretch a string from this nail to the high point of the gutter and align it with a level to find the slope.
5. Check the Fit of the Downspouts
If water pours over the middle of a gutter section (but not on the sides), that’s usually a sign that a downspout isn’t large enough. To solve this problem, you can buy downspout extensions or splash blocks from most home centers and install them to direct the flow of water away from the house.
Alternatively, you can add a downspout to the gutter by marking a spot where the outlet will go (the bottom of the section with the flange) and cutting a V-shaped notch using an old chisel and offset tin snips. A pair of short scraps of 2×4 side by side will help support the gutter as you chisel and cut. You can also use a handsaw, but be careful to get the cuts square. Once you’ve added an outlet, slip it in to check the fit. If you have to, trim the gutter outlet and its elbows a little to make a better fit. Once you’re happy with the fit, predrill holes for the rivets and run a bead of gutter sealant around the edges of the outlet.
Another common problem is that a downspout or strap has come loose and fallen off the gutter. Heavy winds and rain can pull down even well-secured gutters. Tape any loose ones back in place.
If your downspouts aren’t diverting water far enough away from the house, you can purchase gutter aprons that resemble metal shingles and are easy to install. The rule of thumb is one downspout for every 40 feet of gutter. If you have more than that, consider adding a downspout extension or splash block to redirect the flow of water.