Repairing Copper Gutter Seams

If water backs up out of the downspout instead of easily draining remove the downspout s base this.

Repairing copper gutter seams.

This old house general contractor tom silva has a fast fix for a dripping rain gutter. Clean the outside of the gutter where the seam has been leaking. Run water into the gutter at the top of the downspout and watch the drainage at the bottom. All residue must be removed to ensure that the seal that you re placing adheres fully.

Scrubbing the crack reach your gutter by using an extension ladder. Next coat the inside of the gutter channel with a self etching metal primer. To restore or repair your rusted box gutter liner you first need to clean the gutter and remove any debris. Wipe away the dirt using a rag.

Chances are the sealant will pull out easily. Without them solder seams can break and the metal itself can tear thus causing leaks to occur. Over time all things copper acquire a patina first turning a rich brown and then that classic green brown blue coating. If some of it sticks don t worry.

Use steel wool and gently scrub the crack to make the surface clean and stamped. See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house. Then sand the area using fine grit sandpaper until the shine has been restored. The preferred method for mending a hole in a copper gutter is to use a piece of sheet copper on the inside of the gutter.

There are three main steps to repairing copper gutters that have been caulked. You can paint this primer directly over the existing liner and any rust that exists. For sealing and joining lap seams in aluminum or vinyl gutters and downspouts we recommend a permanently flexible and water resistant sealant. Whatever piece of metal you choose rivet it into place with copper rivets then solder with copper flux.

If possible flush out gutters with a garden hose then allow them to air dry for a clean fix. Expansion joints allow for the segments of gutter to move freely during expansion and contraction. Remove the caulk at the end caps outlets and miters.