Repair Or Replace Aluminum Gutters

Gutter replacement may be necessary if gutters are rusting or leaking.

Repair or replace aluminum gutters.

You don t have to rush to a replacement if something s going wrong however. Patches sealants step 1. 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. 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.

Gutter repair and replacement tips. Replace rusty gutters as soon as possible. You only need to fix a few holes or cracks. Here s what you ll want to consider before deciding.

Rusty areas indicate a future problem even if the rust has not yet created a hole. First use a stiff wire brush to remove any rust or corrosion from the hole and the surrounding area. If they do leak there s a fair chance they can be repaired. You can use the same process for repairing holes in both steel and aluminum gutters.

Here are some warning signs that your gutters need work. Any damage is localized on one or two gutter sections. Have them replaced by a professional who can do the job without damaging the roof or siding of your home. 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.

Apply plastic roofing cement step 3. Photo by summer galyan gutters require regular cleaning and maintenance. Seamless aluminum gutters last a long time up to 30 years if they ve been installed correctly. Clean the downspout joints and replace the gaskets step 5.

If your original gutters are straight solid and don t leak they don t need replacement period. Apply silicone and reassemble. However even the best products in the world experience some wear and tear eventually. Check the downspout step 4.

Clean the area around the leak step 2. Gutters with holes or splits aren t reparable. 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. Small openings can be cleaned with alcohol and covered over with a quality sealant.