How to Repair an Aluminum Gutter
Gutters protect your home's exterior and the ground above your foundation from the damaging effects of rain running off the roof. Aluminum gutters can rust over time and develop small holes. Another common problem with aluminum gutters is loose and leaky joints. Joints are repaired with a rubberized roofing sealant. Regular maintenance and repairs help increase the life of your gutters and protect your home from water damage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gutter scoop
- Wire brush
- Cloth rags
- Work gloves
- Aluminum flashing
- Aviation snips
- Roofing cement
- Rubberized roofing sealant
Instructions
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1
Clean out the length of gutter in need of repair using a gutter scoop. Leaves, dirt and other debris build up in gutters. In order to repair the gutter, it needs to be clean and dry.
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2
Brush the rusted holes in the gutter with a wire brush to remove all of the rust. Dry the gutter with cloth rags.
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3
Put on work gloves. Fit a section of aluminum flashing over the holes in need of repair on the inside of the gutter. Use the aviation snips to cut the flashing so that it will overlap the hole by 1 inch on all sides. Repeat for each hole in need of repair.
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4
Apply a bead of roofing cement around the perimeter of the aluminum flashing patches. Align the flashing over the hole, with the cement facing the inside of the gutter. Press the patch firmly into place.
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5
Identify any leaking loose joints along the gutter. Clean the joints out and dry them with a cloth rag. Apply a thick bead of rubberized roofing sealant across the entire joint to seal it.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean and inspect your gutters at the beginning and end of each season to ensure that they are clear of debris and in good condition.
