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Gutter and Downpipe Repairs You Can Do Yourself Your home's exterior is constantly smashed by the elements. This includes wind and rain. During storms the guttering may become damaged and need to be repaired. To repair leaks at the end of a length of gutter, start by cleaning the area affected and removing any loose paint or rust. To create an entirely new seal, you can use roof and gutter sealant. Leaks Gutters play a crucial role of collecting rainwater and redirecting it away from your home, but if they leak they can cause damage that isn't welcome. The damage could be immediate, such as areas of wet or peeling paint, or it can be gradual, such as washing away soil from your garden, or the corroding window frames and fascias. The good news is that it's usually possible to repair gutter leaks on your own. In the beginning, you'll need to eliminate any obstructions that may be causing the problem. If the leak is caused by a hole or a crack in the gutter, you could repair it using roofing cement. Remove the end cap, and clean the area around it prior to applying the patch. You should also ensure that you're working safely by removing any obstacles that may hinder your progress on the ladder. Damaged gutter seams are another common reason for leaks. Leaks at gutter joints may occur when caulk or tar is damaged due to weathering expansion or contraction or by corrosion. You can fix a leak in your guttering by cleaning it and scraping away any caulk or tar that is old before applying a new caulk. Make Downpipe Specialists of a caulk specifically designed for gutters and apply it in an overly wide strip. Inspecting regularly the condition of your rain gutters is a good idea. Regular gutter cleaning and inspection of your downpipes will keep them clear of obstructions, which could cause leaks. If you notice that your downpipes are leaky at their junction with guttering, it's likely that they've been split, or cracked by the water pressure of flowing rainwater. Repairing these leaks is possible with gutter sealant, which is available at most trade counters and DIY stores. Apply the sealant in a broad overlaid strip on both the inside and outside guttering. After the sealant has set, you can check for leaks by flushing the gutter with a bucket or hose. Loose downspouts If your gutter downspouts have become loose or pulling away from the house, they should be secured. Install fascia hanger brackets, or replace the downspout that is damaged when necessary. You might want to install gutter guards or deterrents in order to prevent debris from entering the drain. A downspout that is loose can be caused by a crack or break in the gutter. If you're able repair the issue yourself, it's best to seek out an expert to ensure that the repair is completed correctly. Clogs are a common issue with downspouts of gutters. This can be caused by large particles of dirt that get stuck in the downspout, or even smaller particles like leaves and twigs that get buried inside the pipe over time. This could cause the downspout to get blocked and then overflow. Clogs can be avoided through regular cleaning and maintenance. If the debris is too great, it may be necessary to replace the gutter system. Another kind of downspout that is prone to get blocked is the elbow style. Metal pieces can gather debris because of the turns they make, particularly when you haven't put them back together tightly enough after cleaning. If your downspout is getting blocked it, you'll need to clear the debris from the elbows of the downspout. Then, you can employ a plumbing snake or pressure washer to clear the obstruction. It is best to have this procedure done every year to ensure that the system is working correctly. The slope of the gutter system may cause obstruction. The downspout may be too close to the foundation depending on the slope. This could result in foundation damage by over-saturating the soil around your house. This can be fixed by repositioning the downspout, or installing a drainpipe that redirects the water away from your home's foundation. It's possible that the downspout could have loosened because of a damaged connector bracket, missing wall plugs or a faulty anchor strap. When cleaning your gutters, it's crucial to keep a record of any issues you discover so that you can fix them if necessary. Pieces of the union damaged Modern plastic gutters, while robust, do have leaks at the junctions with the downpipe. These leaks could be caused by defective gutter union clips, which require replacement if damaged. Based on the type of guttering, this can be an easy DIY task, or you could require assistance from a professional. First, clean the joint area of any dirt and debris. Make sure it is completely dry. Once the area is clean, use a spanner and remove the nut holding the gutter union clip. If the nut won't budge then you can make use of a junior hacksaw to cut through the bolt and then remove it. After the clip has been removed, you can use a wire brush to clean any paint or rust from the the gutter union. Then, you can remove the screw that is holding the gutter union to the bracket. Then, replace the gasket that was used to insulate the gutter by a brand new one. You can also apply roof-and-gutter sealant to cover the gaps left by the gaskets that are old and damaged. Gutter unions that have flanges are designed to shield the guttering from galvanic corrosion by separating the metal parts of the pipes. This will save you money and reduce the risk of leaks and damage to your guttering and home. Hart Industrial, for example, offers a wide range of gutter unions. Another cause of leaking gutters is an issue with the stop end. The stop end is vital for keeping your gutter system running smoothly. It is responsible for diverting rainwater away from the guttering and into the downpipe. If yours is damaged or missing, you can repair it by following the steps for fixing a gutter joint (above). You can also prevent leaky gutters by adding a downpipe conductor pipe band or clincher. These are available from many home improvement centers and will protect your downpipe and keep it in position. Alternatively, you can also use a tarp to keep water from seeping through the downpipe. This will limit the flow of water. It might not be the best option for areas with lots of rain. Sagging guttering Gutters are vital in protecting our homes against water damage. As with everything else the gutters will wear out over time. This is often caused by excessive rain or leaf build-up which causes them to become loose and sag. In certain cases the sagging may be so severe that it is necessary to replace the entire gutter system. However, often, sagging can be corrected with a few simple fixes. One of the most frequent reasons for sagging guttering is loose gutter hangers. This is common to all gutters of type however aluminum gutters are more prone to warping or breaking. To remedy the issue remove the gutter hangers. Replace them with new ones which aren't bent. This will help distribute weight and reduce the sagging. Another reason for sagging rain gutters is the system has lost its slope. This is usually because of worn-out or poorly-fitting gutter spikes that can become loose and cause the system to lose its pitch. It is possible to fix this by using a ladder to remove the old spikes and replacing them with new ones that are not bent. You can add another downspout in the area where your gutters are failing. This will allow the water to flow through the area more efficiently and ease the burden on the gutters. Sagging gutters can result in serious structural damage to your home. It is essential to fix any issues as quickly as possible. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspections, can lower the chance of gutters sagging. For more serious problems it's best to speak with a professional gutter service to avoid damaging your home with a high cost. A gutter expert will be able to identify the root of the issue and make the necessary repairs. This will save both time and money.