How to Caulk for Leaking Gutters
Leaking gutters can lead to serious financial issues if the problem is not promptly repaired, as water damage inside and outside your home is likely to occur. Gutters should be routinely cleaned at least twice a year to remove leaves, sticks and other debris that prevents gutters from functioning properly. Clogged gutters will backup and overflow. It also is important to inspect the gutter joints routinely as well. Silicone caulk is used to seal the joints and form a waterproof barrier. However, caulk eventually ages and deteriorates, causing the gutters to leak at the joints. When this occurs, it is necessary to remove the old caulk and apply new caulk to the gutter joints. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Trisodium phosphate
- Abrasive pad
- Towel
- Silicone caulk
- Caulk gun
- Ladder
Instructions
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1
Identify the sources of the leak. The most typical source of a gutter leak is around the joints. The old caulking ages and cracks and the joints become loose. The downspout joints are especially prone to leakage, because the water is moving toward the ground with force.
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2
Cut and remove the old silicone caulking using a utility knife. Separate the gutter at the joint in order to clean it.
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3
Scrub the gutter with an abrasive pad and a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP is an all-purpose cleaner. Scrub the gutter until all the grime and debris are gone.
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4
Connect the joint back together, then press the two parts of the gutter together until they are tight.
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Insert a tube of silicone caulk into a caulk gun. Cut the tip of the tube at a 45 degree angle using a utility knife or razor blade. Press the trigger on the caulk gun until the caulk begins to flow, then release the trigger to stop it from flowing.
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Apply a smooth bead of caulk around the gutter joint. Gently go over the bead of caulk using your finger tip and pressing the caulk into the gutter, to make a more secure bond. Wipe off any excess caulk that may have dropped onto the gutter.
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References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
