How to Repair Leaking Gutters
Steel and aluminum gutters develop leaks over time because rust and corrosion eat away at the surface. Keep the gutters clean to avoid standing water, which promotes rust and corrosion. You can repair the gutters yourself to save money. Make a metal patch for larger holes from flashing, and use pop rivets to connect the patch to the gutter. You can purchase flashing and pop rivet guns at most hardware stores. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Assistant
- Towel
- Tin snips
- Wire brush
- Cloth
- Flashing
- Drill
- Marker
- Silicone caulk
- Caulking gun
- Pop rivets
- Rivet gun
- Roofing cement
- Putty knife
Instructions
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1
Set a ladder close to the area you plan to repair. Whether you are using a step ladder or an extension ladder, have an assistant hold the bottom of the ladder steady while you are using it.
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2
Soak up any remaining water in the gutter with a towel. Cut around the hole with a pair of tin snips to remove the excessive corrosion. Clean the surface rust and corrosion away with a wire brush. Remove the rust on the inside and the outside of the hole area. Wipe the area clean with a cloth.
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3
Measure the length of the hole and the width of the inside of the gutter. Cut a piece of flashing to the measurement, and add one inch to the length. Drill holes around the edges of the flashing for the pop rivets.
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4
Set the flashing patch inside the gutter over the hole, and mark the holes onto the gutter with a marker. Drill holes at the mark for the pop rivets.
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5
Apply silicone caulk around the hole in the gutter and around the bottom edge of the patch with a caulking gun.
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6
Press the patch into position, and secure it to the gutter with pop rivets. Apply some roofing cement over the patch with a putty knife.
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Tips & Warnings
If your leaks are at the joints, apply a bead of silicone caulk at the seam inside the gutter.
Cover small holes less than 1/8 inch with roofing cement. Clean the area with a wire brush, and apply the cement over the hole with a putty knife.
