How To Fix Your Leaking Gutter

Are you noticing water dripping from your ceiling or dampness in the foundations of your home? Then your gutter may have started to leak.

A leaking gutter is not something that you would want to ignore. Not only does it make your home prone to water damage, but it also poses a health risk. That’s because the water leaking from the gutter may promote the growth of moulds and bacteria.

You can do gutter repair pretty easily, eliminating the above problems. That is what we have discussed in this brief guide.

So, if you are looking for a solution to your gutter problem, read on!

How Can You Fix Your Leaking Gutter?

Before we get started, you should know what causes the gutter to leak in the first place. In most cases, gutter leaks are caused due to general wear and tear. But they can also be caused due to serious damage caused by adverse weather conditions, such as storms, heavy rains, or hail.

Due to the above causes, the gutter may develop a faulty joint somewhere or a hole in the pipe. Another less likely reason may be a build-up of leaves, dust or grime in the gutter, which disrupts the water flow, eventually causing it to leak. This is primarily observed in the case of open gutters.

Regardless, once the gutter begins to leak, it will start sagging, and you may notice the water starting to pool at some locations. If the water pools too much, it will leak onto your house’s exterior walls and windows.

To fix leaky gutters, you will need to follow the steps below.

Step 1: Find And Clean The Area Around The Leak

First, you will need to locate where the water is leaking. It will be pretty easy to identify if it is a significant leakage. But for minor fix gutter leaks, you will want to inspect the entire gutter to find them.

Once you have located the spot, you should clean the area around it. Remove any leaves, branches or other debris from the site. You can scrub it with a brush or abrasive pad if dirt and grime accumulate. Using the latter is advisable because it will simultaneously smoothen up the surface, which will help you in the next step.

Step 2: Apply Roofing Cement

If the leakage is caused due to small holes in the gutter, you can fix them by applying plastic roofing cement over them. Make sure to fill the gap so that there is no more leakage.

In case of larger holes, you will need to apply a bit of flashing tape to cover it first. You can then apply the roofing cement over them to fix leaking gutters. Once you are done, let it stand for a while so it can dry.

Step 3: Fix The Joints On The Leaky Gutters

After you fill up any holes, check to see if the joints in the gutter are intact. Here’s when you should also check the joints on the downspout.

If you notice any screws or nuts that have become loose, tighten them with a wrench or a screwdriver. Likewise, if some of the joints have become too old due to usage, replace them with new ones.

After that, you must reinforce the joints properly by applying silicone caulk. If there is any old caulk, scrape it off and apply a new layer. This will effectively seal the joints and prevent any leakage.

Maintain Your Gutter

Once you have fixed the leakage, you need to ensure that it does not happen again. Of course, you cannot control weather events that may cause damage to the gutters, but you can maintain them regularly. This will help a lot in avoiding leaky gutters.

Ensure to sweep the rain gutters with a broom every couple of months to eliminate any leaves, branches or debris. You can also install a gutter guard to prevent them from falling into the rain gutter.

Apart from that, you should scrub the gutter with a wire brush periodically to prevent the accumulation of grime.

Stopping Your Gutter From Leaking

So, now you know how to fix leaking gutters. As you can see, it is not a very complex process; you can get it done within a day.

Just avoid rushing through the process. Otherwise, the leaks will soon reappear, and you will have to repeat the process.

We have also suggested ways to maintain your gutters regularly. Scheduled gutter cleaning and inspection will drastically minimise the chances of blockages and future leakage. Our Melbourne plumbers can assist you with gutter repair and maintenance, so please reach out to our team!

Now, it is time for us to wrap up. We will be back with more informative guides soon. Until then, goodbye!