The gutter system is an integral part of every house as it protects the durability of your home’s material by keeping water away from the base of your home. Therefore, it endures harsh conditions throughout the year and may wear out over time. But the gutter’s lifespan entirely depends on its materials, as some gutter systems can last a decade or longer.
If the gutters start to leak, it can lead to water seeping into your basement, the formation of water puddles in your garden or yard, foundation damage, and even the development of mold and mildew inside your home. This calls for a professional repair service if you cannot tackle the gutter repair task yourself. You can visit the website of a reliable eavestrough repair and installation service provider to ensure a head start.
But if you are confident you can do an eavestrough repair by yourself, below are valuable tips to help you make informed decisions. So please read on.
1. Determine If You Have An Actual Gutter Leak
When rushing water encounters a clog in the gutters during bad weather, you can expect a water surge. It continues flowing over the blockage, eventually spilling over the gutter’s sides, which means that a suspected leak might not be a leak after all.
To make sure you have an actual gutter leak, you can inspect the site and check if the area is packed with debris. If that’s so, it indicates you have a blockage. Use a small-sized trowel to remove the debris and flush any leftover debris away using a garden hose.
Once the gutters are free of debris, use your garden hose to allow water to flow through the gutter and observe if there are leaks. If the water heads straight to the downspout without any issue, your gutters don’t have any leaks.
If you want to avoid clogs or blockage from debris, consider gutter guards. Today, you can find them in different styles, but the main function is to prevent debris, leaves, and branches from building up into the gutters. Additionally, if you have several trees on your property, consider performing regular trimming as part of tree maintenance to prevent the buildup of branches or leaves on the gutters.
2. Deal With A Sagging Gutter
When the gutter is packed with flowing water, it carries a heavy load, and leaks will occur soon. Due to the significant weight, flexible materials such as vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized steel will start to bend and sag as the hangers loosen. Once this happens, the gutters can no longer do their job of draining the water away from your home. Unfortunately, the water starts to pool along their length and causes them to sag even more, eventually leaking water on the sides. Some indications of a sagging gutter are standing water or water marks on the interior sides of the gutters. The ideal approach to resolve this issue is to replace or re-position the hangers.
3. Inspect For Holes And Cracks
Over time, gutters deteriorate and end up having a few holes and cracks. In most cases, they’re likely to form where gutters affix to one another. In most cases, you’ll find water dripping from the joints. You can deal with this common problem on gutters by applying silicone or rubber caulk or sealant and squeezing them into the holes and cracks. Remember to apply an extra layer around the entire joint.
When dealing with exterior gaps, the sealant you use should maintain a flexible consistency after application while also being resistant to UV radiation and weather changes. Once it fully dries, use a sharp tool to cut off any excess.
As for cracks in the gutter, use weatherproofing tape to cover the site. Make sure the site is fully dry before applying it. When applying, the tape should have overlapping strips. Always smoothen the tape to remove any bubble formation to ensure a lasting seal.
Final Thoughts
A leaky gutter requires timely attention due to the potential damage it can cause to your home. Once you find a minor leak, deal with it immediately to prevent it from worsening. With the help of these insightful repair tips, you can deal with a minor issue. However, if the leak is extensive and you lack the right tools, hiring a professional would be a head start. As a homeowner, routine inspection and maintenance of the gutter system should be one of your priorities to keep your home safe all year round and fortify the exterior and interior of your home.