How to Seal Rain Gutters

Gutter leaks are an unfortunate inevitability. Removing the damaged area and replacing it with a new section of gutter is one way to fix the leak, but doing so can be expensive and time-consuming. Thankfully, the vast majority of gutter leaks can be quickly and easily repaired without even having to remove the gutter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire brush
• Steel wool pad or abrasive pad
• Flashing
• Tin snips
• Roofing cement
• Metal putty knife

1. Scrub the damaged area on the inside of the rain gutter with a wire brush to remove a majority of the paint and residue.

2. Scrub the area with a steel wool pad or an abrasive pad to remove the smaller residue particles.

3. Cut a piece of flashing with tin snips, then bend the flashing until it rests evenly against the damaged area of the gutter. The flashing should extend over the damaged area by approximately 1 inch. Remove the cut flashing piece from the gutter and set it aside.

4. Spread an approximately 1/8-inch layer of roofing cement over the damaged area with a metal putty knife. The roofing cement should be distributed evenly across the damaged area, and should extend a few inches beyond it.

5. Place the flashing piece onto the roofing cement, then press down on the flashing to ensure the roofing cement adheres to it evenly.

6. Cover the edges of the flashing with roofing cement and a metal putty knife to complete the repair. Use the putty knife to feather the cement across the edges of the flashing to prevent leaves, twigs and other debris from later catching on either the flashing or the cement.

References

• Home Repair Guide; Ten Pound Books; 2007