How to Repair a Gutter Leak
The guttering system of your house follows the principle that water will follow the path of least resistance. A clog in the gutter allows water to pool in the gutter and eventually eat through the gutter and cause a leak. Falling branches and other natural strike hazards can also puncture the guttering system as well. To protect the home from the water that will eat away at the very foundation the structure you must repair leaks in the gutter as soon as you discover them. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Extension ladder
- Water hose with spray nozzle hooked into a water supply
- Clean, dry rags
- Flashing
- Tin snips
- Drill with 3/8-inch bi-metal bit
- Caulk gun with 30-year silicone
- Rivet gun with 1/4-inch rivets
Instructions
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Locate the leak in your gutter. Place your ladder so the top rests at least 36 inches above the level of the roof. Open the water supply valve and charge the hose. Climb the ladder and spray water into the gutter to clean away any leaves, dirt or other debris inside and outside of the gutter. Wipe both surfaces clean with dry rags.
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Trim a piece of flashing that is two inches larger than the hole it will cover with your tin snips. Press the patch over the hole so that the excess is even all around the circumference of the hole. Drill four holes through the patch and the gutter at equal distances around the patch. Set the patch aside.
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3
Cover the area around the leak with a thick bead of caulk. Smear the caulk flat with your fingertip and wipe you finger clean with a rag.
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Place the patch over the leak and into position so that your drilled holes line up between gutter and patch. Shoot a rivet through each hole with your rivet gun. Cover the entire patch with a thick coat of caulk, smear it smooth with your finger, and allow the caulk to dry for 24 hours.
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References
- Photo Credit Dachrinne image by crossgolfing from Fotolia.com
