Seamless Gutter Repair: Mistakes to Avoid

Seamless gutters are a great type to have on any home, but even these types will sometimes need gutter repair or service. It’s not that hard for the homeowner to repair the leaks or problems with seamless gutters, but you have to be careful to do some basic steps and to avoid problems. Here are some of the problems you could encounter:

Not Enough Downspouts or Installed Wrong

If you need gutter repair, then you have to pay special attention to the downspouts, since that is where the water rushes down when it rains. If the water isn’t able to flow properly, the downspouts may spring a leak or crack, and you will have even bigger issues. So, make sure to inspect the downspouts thoroughly, and make sure they have a long enough length to support guiding all the water that could flow through it from your roof. Make sure the downspouts don’t open up right on top of another roof that is lower down, because then the water will build up there and could get heavy and leak through your roof.

Make Sure to Repair Properly

With seamless gutters you don’t have to worry about making sure a seam is holding together, but you still have to inspect each section to be sure that there are no holes, cracks or other issues. This is something you can start doing on a schedule, perhaps every change of season, and be sure to also do it right after any large storm. A little bit of preparation will go a long way to prevent problems.

Be Sure to Remove Blockages

If your seamless gutters get full of leaves, or standing water is trapped, then it can cause them to be blocked. If they are blocked, less water can flow out, and they won’t work the right way. So, be sure to clean them out if this happens. Standing water is bad for another reason, it can attract mosquitoes to lay their eggs and hatch there.

Patch Properly

If you have a hole in your seamless gutter that is bigger than a small nail puncture, then you need to patch it. You can use pop rivets over the hole to fix it, but they could cause more holes, and aren’t always the best choice.

It’s better to use a flashing piece of metal. Cut it with tin snips, and make a patch that is larger than the hole. Then, use roof cement or silicone caulk and smear it over the hole, feather the edges of the hole, and then fit the patch you created over the hole and seal it up.

Plug if Small Enough

If the hole is instead smaller than a nail puncture, you can merely plug it and don’t have to use a patch. Spread some silicone caulk over the hole, in a nice thick layer, and let it dry for whatever the package says, probably 2 or 3 days.

All in all, seamless gutter repair can be something you, can do for yourself. Just follow some simple instructions, and be sure to take the proper safety precautions if you have to get up on your roof.