Did you know that most gutters last about twenty years? If they’re made from copper, they may be able to last fifty years.
Despite this impressive lifespan, you’ll still find a gutter leak every now and then. Before you call in the professionals, how about doing the gutter repair yourself?
Keep reading to learn how to repair leaky gutters.
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is the first step to learning how to repair leaky gutters. With debris like leaves, dirt, and bugs blocking the way, you’ll never get to the root of the problem.
A putty knife will do a great job of scraping off this debris. Then, with a wire brush, scrub away rust. The last step to gutter cleaning is rinsing away the rest of the dirt with your garden hose.
Don’t forget to use work clothes for gutter cleaning. This will protect you from nicks, scratches, cuts, and scrapes. Secondly, make sure you practice ladder safety.
Install Sealant
Now that gutter cleaning is out of the way, you can move on to gutter repair with your sealant. The best sealants for vinyl or aluminum are water-resistant and flexible.
Press the sealant to your gutter leak until it fits firmly into the joint. Be sure to apply pressure evenly across the whole surface of the sealant. You’ll know you’ve applied enough pressure if the sealant is half as wide as the fissure.
After twenty-four hours, you should be good to go. By this time, the sealant will have a dry, skinlike texture. While it won’t be fully cured for another week, the gutter will be non-operational for only a few days.
When you come back to check your gutter repair job in a week, you may notice that you applied too much sealant. Go ahead and carve this away with a sharp tool.
In addition to leaking gutters, you can use sealants for windows, doorframes, appliances, and more.
Tips for Choosing the Right Sealant
Choosing the right sealant should be a little more deliberate than picking a random one from the shelf. You need to look at your gutters that leak and figure out which sealant will best solve the problem.
Here are a few questions to consider when looking at sealants for your gutter leak:
- How long does it take to dry?
- How easy is it to apply?
- Does it resist moisture and water?
- What is the viscosity?
- How much does it cost?
If you’re still unsure about how to repair leaky gutters, you can always call a roofing service to help you. Visit handygutters.com to learn more.
How to Repair Leaky Gutters
Learning how to repair leaky gutters may be intimidating for those who don’t consider themselves too handy. However, fixing gutters that leak will leave you feeling proud of a job well done.
As long you do gutter cleaning regularly, you should be able to keep your gutter repair to a minimum. For more home and lifestyle tips, keep reading our site.
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