One of the most vital components of your home is your gutters. Their primary function is to divert water away from your foundation, making certain your basement doesn’t get wet and that your foundation doesn’t become damaged over time. Generally, you should make it a habit to inspect your gutters twice a year (in spring and fall) to look for debris and leaks. This sounds easy, but what happens if you do find an issue? You can always call a professional roofing company like Bealing Roofing & Exteriors, Inc., but you may be able to tackle some repairs yourself. Here are a few tips for repairing leaky gutters in Frederick, MD. We will start by addressing various areas of your guttering system.
Fix Leaking Corners
When you spot water seeping out of a gutter corner, odds are you are dealing with a joint connection between the gutter and the downspout.
1. Clean the corner. Using an all-purpose cleaner, scrub with a wire brush, rinse with water, and dry.
2. Caulk the joints using silicone caulk to fill in the area between the gutter and downspout. Press the joint together as tightly as you can. Remove any excess caulk and apply a final bead around the edges.
This repair is best conducted on a warm day as silicon caulk adheres best to dry, warm metal.
Fix Holes in a Gutter
There is always the potential for a gutter to develop a hole. This could be due to rust or puncture from an object.
1. Clean the area around the hole. Use the same process listed above. Make sure the area is fully dry.
2. Cut a patch out of metal flashing larger than the hole you are fixing.
3. Apply roofing cement around the hole.
4. Press the metal patch into the cement, and then cover the entire patch with roofing cement.
Re-Seal Joints
The most common area for a leak is at the joints. As caulking ages, it will shrink and pull away from the seams it was meant to fill.
1. Separate the seam. This will require removing any screws and removing any remaining caulk.
2. Clean the seams, making certain to clear away all the old caulk.
3. Repaint the area with rust-resistant paint that matches your gutter.
4. After the paint is dry, apply a thin line of caulk to the inner lip of the joint and press the sections together.
5. Replace any screws as needed.
By following these tips, you will be a pro at repairing leaky gutters. Are your gutter leaks more extreme? Want to talk to a roofing professional about the best roof and gutter option for you? Contact Bealing Roofing & Exteriors, Inc.
Learn to hire a roofing company in Frederick, MD by clicking here.
