Here is a blog about gutter repairs. Are you experiencing challenges with your gutters lately? If yes, this is a good guide on how to go about it.
Before you call your gutter repair technician, ask yourself a question. When was the last time you had your gutters cleaned? If it is more than a year ago, you probably want to call in a gutter cleaning expert first.
If your gutters are dirty, the gutters will be clogged. Clogged gutters lead to slow water flows, overflows on the gutters, and many other problems. A good cleanup will solve most of the gutter problems unless there are leaks or breakages along the pipes.
Sometimes the dirt is washed into the downpipes, especially when the filters are damaged. Once leaves and hard debris enters the downpipes, the gutters will overflow spilling water into the soffit, fascia, and ultimately onto the sidings.
This can damage many things, including the wooden parts of the fascia and soffit, the sidings, and the foundation. Essentially, if there are leaky gutters, start with cleaning the gutters, unclogging the downpipe, and ensuring that any damaged part of the roof is inspected.
Fixing Loose Gutters:
Loose gutters will eventually cause you problems. It is better to fix them as soon as possible. How do you know that the gutters are loose? Sometimes a simple observation can show. But by the time you see it, it means that the gutters are barely hanging there. You can check during gutter cleaning or roof inspection.
The correct way to solve this problem is to install the hanger brackets. If they are there, refasten them to ensure that the gutters stay in place. Some of the old model gutter installations don’t have hanger brackets making them prone to loosening of the spikes. Add the hanger brackets. There is no need to remove the spikes afterward. Doing so will give you more work of caulking the resultant holes left by the removed spiked.
Fixing A Gutter Leak:
First, different types of gutters require different approaches when it comes to handling leakages. The material of the matter and the system determine what to do in case of a leak. There are two types of gutters, vinyl gutters, and built-in gutters.
Fixing A Leak in Built-In Gutters:
If the water is going behind the gutters, it means that they were installed without the flashing. To solve this problem, you have to add the gutter apron or add rolled flashing under the drip edge depending on the type of fascia setup.
If you have leaky gutters themselves, start by identifying the leaky spot. Once you have done that, spraying before applying the roofing tape is the best option. Spraying ensures that the bond seals nicely. It also ensures that the roof tape will stick better. Spraying is followed by an expert application of roofing tape. The technician has to ensure that the tape installs securely.
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The material will include gutter sealant and replacement parts for broken or irreparable gutters. A sealant should be able to complete a repair that includes loose gutter joints and holes.
The cost of such a repair will include labor and parts. A good handyman company will give you a firm estimate of the cost before they begin the work. When inspecting the leak, the technician will also check the structure and membrane of the roof. If the leak goes beyond the gutter into the roof, you need to call in a roofing expert or company.
Repairing A Gutter On A Vinyl Gutter:
Repairing a leak on a vinyl gutter is not a very complicated process. First, you have to clean the gutters properly so that you can observe all the possible flaws and leaks. If the gutters have been clean lately and the downpipes are not clogged, it is possible that the damage on the gutters is down to a hole or crack.
Once you have confirmed that the gutters are squeaky clean, you scrape it down every place there is a hole, loose joint, or crack. Scrapping helps during caulking. Caulk cannot stick on dirty surfaces. You may have to remove scrape from old caulk and sealant to prepare the surface.
Apply the caulk generously, ensuring that all the leaky sections are properly covered. Carefully smooth out unwanted caulk before allowing it to dry. All gutter repairs should be done when wearing the correct safety gear, such as a helmet, and climbing boots, and using the correct tools, such as the ladder.
The cost of gutter repairs depends on the location of the leak, the extent of the leak or damage, and the type of gutter system. Expect to pay more if there is more than one joint leaking or when your built-in system has considerable damage to the membrane.
Replacing An Old Or Damaged Downpipe:
There are generally three types of downpipes, straight, curved, and those that run along the roof. When it comes to replacement, each type of downpipe will require different types of materials. Curved ones tend to consume more parts than straight ones. Those that run along the length of the house can also be very costly to replace. Depending on the floor the pipe is coming from, you can have a rough estimate of the length of the materials needed. Expect to buy more materials if the pipe is coming from a story house.
Before buying the material, it is good to know the gutter system color and its location. Those going through joints and curves will require specialized replacement parts. We start the process by removing the old or damaged downpipe.
We also inspect the rest of the gutters to ensure that the water flow is seamless. Once we are done, we are ready to install the new pipe. We match the color of the pipe with the rest of the gutters. Ensure that the joints are carefully fastened and sealed. Once it dries, we then test it to see if the flow is smooth.
Replacing A Gutter:
Sometimes the damage on the gutters might be too extensive. In that case, a repair may not be a wise decision. We usually recommend a gutter replacement if the overall gutter system has vulnerabilities in multiple joints.
Also, bent gutters and downpipes need to be replaced. This is because it isn’t much you can do to straighten them. So, the best option is to get a gutter company to cut and replace the gutters or downpipes.
If only one area of the gutter is faulty, you can replace just that part. However, it may not be possible if the gutter is connected to another one. In that case, you may need to redo both sections to ensure that the two work in tandem.
Take good care of your gutters. They can be the gateway to a very expensive roof repair or extensive water damage. Ensuring that rainwater, even during a storm flows smoothly without overflowing or leaking during a storm is imperative. It all starts with proper installation, regular inspection, proper cleaning, and on-time repairs.
For all your gutter cleaning and gutter repairs, call us at Quick Sidekick. Our prices are industry standard. We also use original products from industry-leading suppliers. Our technicians also ensure safety every time they are working on your property. Give us a call today at 604-343-5763.
