How to Patch a Gutter Leak

When it rains, it pours--right down the side of your house, if you have a leaky gutter. These leaks generally occur at connections between gutter sections or gutters and downspouts. Very old metal gutters (especially steel ones) may corrode all the way through. For all repairs, start with a well-cleaned gutter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gloves
• Gloves
• Gloves
• Steel Wool Or Abrasive Pad
• Utility Knife
• Utility Knife
• Putty Knife
• Caulking Cartridge And Gun
• Ladder
• Metal Flashing
• Metal Snips
• Putty Knife
• Asphalt flashing cement and cartridge, or gutter patch

1. To patch a hole, scrub the inside of the gutter around the hole with steel wool or an abrasive pad, using a ladder if necessary.

2. Cut a patch from metal flashing using metal snips. Make the patch a little larger than the corroded area.

3. Using a putty knife, coat the back of the metal patch with asphalt flashing cement (or gutter patch), and press it into place.

4. Smooth any adhesive that oozes out at the edges with a gloved finger.

5. To seal leaks at joints, you can try to clean and caulk, but usually the better approach is to disassemble the gutter as needed to remove the leaking connector. Then clean mating surfaces and caulk as you reassemble. Cut the tip off your caulking cartridge with a utility knife and insert the cartridge into a caulking gun to apply.

Tips & Warnings

• Flashing cement is difficult to clean off your hands without solvents, so wear disposable gloves.