How To Repair Leaky Gutters

Assess the Issue

Before repairing the gutters, it’s important to determine where and why they are failing. Cleaning gutters may often allow them to flow more readily, meaning a quick bead of caulk will prevent leaks. However, gutters that are pitched backward or crowned or those that are installed too high won’t allow proper water flow.

All About Gutters and Downspouts

How to Install Gutters

Gutters should be installed along the eaves of a home, with one end of the gutter pitched lower than the other. The proper slope for a gutter is ¼-inch of slope for 4 feet of run. So, for a 16-foot-long section of gutter, the downspout end should be 1 inch lower than the other end. Also, it’s important to install gutters at the correct height. If the installer places a straight edge, such as a level on the roof’s surface, so that it overhangs the edge of the roof, the front edge of the gutter should touch the bottom of the straight edge.

How to Repair Leaky Gutters

Resources

Tom repairs a homeowner’s seamless gutters that are pitched over their backyard deck. Tom uses a straight edge to determine if the gutters are hung too high. To remove the gutters, Tom uses a Dewalt compact drill to unscrew the gutter brackets. To rehang the gutter, Tom marks the gutter with a chalk line, then drives one 1-¼” pan-head aluminum screw to hold the gutter in position. To reinstall the gutters, Tom installs 5” gutter brackets inside the gutters through the fascia board and into a rafter tail. To fasten the 2x3 downspout B-elbows to the downspout, Tom uses 1-¼” aluminum pan-head screws. Then he screws an aluminum strap near the upper and lower ends of the downspout. To seal the corner joint, Tom uses 85148 Seamer Mate gutter sealant. To install the drip edge, Tom uses 1-½” galvanized roofing nails and nails them in every 16”.