Repair Or Replace Aluminum Gutters

Gutter repair and replacement tips.

Repair or replace aluminum gutters.

Apply plastic roofing cement step 3. Clean the area around the leak step 2. If they do leak there s a fair chance they can be repaired. Check the downspout step 4.

You don t have to rush to a replacement if something s going wrong however. You can use the same process for repairing holes in both steel and aluminum gutters. Gutter replacement may be necessary if gutters are rusting or leaking. First use a stiff wire brush to remove any rust or corrosion from the hole and the surrounding area.

Rusty areas indicate a future problem even if the rust has not yet created a hole. Clean the downspout joints and replace the gaskets step 5. Apply silicone and reassemble. Have them replaced by a professional who can do the job without damaging the roof or siding of your home.

Any damage is localized on one or two gutter sections. Gutters with holes or splits aren t reparable. Gutter leaks usually start at rusty spots or seams that have opened up because of expansion and contraction. With gutter replacement you can prevent water from running behind your gutters by installing a metal gutter apron flashing under the shingles and over the back edge of the gutter.

If your original gutters are straight solid and don t leak they don t need replacement period. Small openings can be cleaned with alcohol and covered over with a quality sealant. Seamless aluminum gutters last a long time up to 30 years if they ve been installed correctly. Clean out gutters at least once a year to make them last.

Patches sealants step 1. If your home center or hardware store doesn t sell pre bent flashing ask an aluminum siding contractor or local sheet metal fabricator to bend some for you. Here are some warning signs that your gutters need work. Replace rusty gutters as soon as possible.

However even the best products in the world experience some wear and tear eventually. You only need to fix a few holes or cracks. Once the hole is clean and dry spread roofing cement around the edges of the hole and apply a patch of appropriately sized metal flashing. If your gutter is still basically sound the easiest way to stop the leak is by covering the damaged area with roof and gutter repair tape available at home centers and hardware stores.