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How to Fix a Leaky Gutter: 4 Easy Steps
Visnja Radosavljevic
Last updated:
Leaking gutters can be annoying, especially if water frequently falls on you from the roof! While dodging drippings can be stressful, the bigger issue is what the water leaks are doing to your home. You may not notice any signs of damage until it’s too late, which can result in costly repairs and damage control.
Luckily enough, most gutter leakage problems are typically easy to resolve. While people unsure of their skills may need help from a professional to fix leaking gutters, handy people can tackle the project themselves.
Keep reading to learn how to fix a leaky gutter like a pro in four easy steps!
What Causes Gutters to Leak?
Leaks coming from your gutter can happen due to an array of things. However, some problems are more common than others, including:
Physical damage: Gutters are located at the edge of your roof, which makes them exposed and prone to physical damage. Physical damage can occur from bad weather, snow, rain, human contact, and trees. It’s also common for physical damage to occur due to dirt and debris inside the gutter if you don’t clean them regularly.
Wear and tear: Your gutters also suffer from constant wear and tear, which can cause them to leak. This is especially noticeable in homes with older gutters, although the overall state of your gutters will depend on your maintenance habits.
Clogs: Dirt and debris constantly collect in your gutters; if you don’t clean them, they’ll eventually lead to clogging. That’s why it’s crucial to keep up regular gutter maintenance and prevent clogs as much as possible.
Image Credit: sandid, Pixabay
The 4 Steps to Fix a Leaky Gutter
1. Gather the Required Tools and Materials
Before fixing your gutters, you’ll need to get a few tools and materials, which typically include:
Gloves
Caulk gun
Drill
A garden trowel
A bucket
Rubbing alcohol
Waterproof sealant
Gutter hanger brackets
Roofing cement
The precise list can vary depending on the type of leak you’re dealing with, but these are some general things you’ll need. With these tools and materials, you should be able to resolve some of the most common gutter leakage issues.
2. Clean the Gutters
The gutters need to be cleaned so you can fix them, which is why cleaning them is the first step toward resolving the leakage problem. Start by putting on your protective gloves and remove leaves and dirt from the gutter.
It’s best to reach the gutter while climbing a high ladder to see and remove everything collected inside. You can bring a bucket to collect the dirt inside and prevent the need from frequently climbing up and down the ladder.
You could also use a leaf blower or a vacuum to clean the gutters if that feels easier. When you finish cleaning, pour a bucket of water into the gutter to ensure no dirt or debris is stuck. It’s best to repeat this part of the process until the gutters drain water properly.
Once there’s no longer a need to rinse the gutter, dry it out using a paper towel or a dry cloth.
Image Credit: ronstik, Shutterstock
3. Fix the Leak
Finally, it’s time to fix the leak, although the fixing method will vary depending on the reason behind your leak.
Commonly, when your gutter is leaking, the issue comes from:
Leaks from holes
Sagging gutters
Leaks behind the gutter
Leaks from the gutter joint
Read more about each of the issues and their resolutions below.
Leaks From Holes
Over time, gutters will suffer wear and tear, resulting in holes that may cause leaks and water issues. While these leaks can be annoying, they’re an easy DIY fix. However, the patching method will depend on the hole size, as you’ll typically encounter small and large holes.
Small Holes
It’s easier to patch small holes because of their size. To patch up a small gutter hole, you’ll need:
A putty knife
Roofing cement or sealant
To patch the hole, take a small amount of roofing cement or sealant, place it on your putty knife, and spread it across the damaged area. Ensure the layer is thin and evenly spread to cover the whole hole.
Large Holes
It’s also simple to patch up large gutter holes, although they require you to have more materials, including:
A putty knife
Roofing cement or sealant
A metal sheet
To patch a larger hole:
Put roofing cement or sealant on the edges of the hole and place a small piece of a metal sheet on top of it
Hold it in place for a couple of minutes until it sticks, and apply the sealant or roofing cement on the metal sheet
Use the putty knife to evenly spread it across the metal sheet and allow it to dry
Image Credit: Zachary Keimig, Unsplash
Is There Anything Else You Can Do?
Another solution for fixing holes in your gutter is to use weather-proof tape. It works for small and large holes, so you can try this method out regardless of the hole size. You’ll need to purchase the weather-proof tape and tape it over the damaged gutter areas.
While this solution is quick and convenient, you should be careful while placing the tape. You need to ensure that the seal is good so there will be no leaks.
Sagging Gutters
It’s not uncommon for a gutter to start sagging and cause leakage problems. Luckily, if a sagging gutter is causing your issues, all you need to do is secure it back in place.
To successfully secure your gutter back in place, you’ll need:
A drill
Gutter hanger brackets
You’ll need to push the gutter back into its original position and install gutter hanger brackets to secure it in place. It’s best to place the brackets every 2 feet to ensure it’s stable and well-secured.
Leaks Behind the Gutter
While most gutters have holes in the front, leaks behind the gutter can also occur. They typically happen when there’s a gap between the fascia and the gutter. If that’s causing your problem, simply use a sealant to cover the gap and wait until it dries out.
Image Credit: 123switch, Pixabay
Leaks From the Gutter Joint
If you still have leaks from your gutter joint even after you clean the gutter, you’ll need to seal the leak with silicone or sealant. It’s best to carefully inspect the area before you start to ensure you cover all the damaged areas.
Use the sealant/silicone and apply it to the edge of the previous seal. Once you finish, reattach the gutter and connect it with the sealant/silicone to prevent further leaking.
What Should I Do If There’s a Need for Replacement?
Replacing the gutter joint might be the best in certain situations, and luckily, it’s an easy replacement.
To replace your gutter, follow the instructions below:
Unclip the gutter and unscrew the current union
Clean the end of the gutters to easily attach a new union
Install the new union and use silicone lubricant to spray the seals
Test the seal
4. Keep Up Your Gutter Maintenance
Fixing a leaky gutter is easy, but still, it’s much better if there is no need to repair the gutter in the first place. While you can’t completely prevent your gutter from being damaged as it’s exposed to outdoor conditions, you can do a couple of things to keep it in good shape.
Here are some quick tips for maintaining your gutters:
Clean your gutters a couple of times a year
Clean your roof from dirt and debris
Regularly inspect the gutters for holes, corrosion, rust, or leaks
Inspect the downspouts
Final Thoughts
Fixing a leaky gutter is simple as long as you know what’s causing your leak. It’s much easier to DIY your gutter problem than to spend a lot of money on costly repairs. However, the most important thing is to practice regular gutter maintenance to prevent leakage problems from occurring in the first place.
Visnja is a content writer that covers various topics such as DIY, pets, home improvement, travel, gardening, and more. She is a young mom and college student that balances her time between her busy personal life and her passion of writing.
She believes that "writing is a great way to share your knowledge with the community and express yourself. There's nothing that words cannot accomplish, so I always try to use them in the best possible way."
Visnja Radosavljevic
