3 Common Gutter Problems And How To Fix Them
Your home's gutters are meant to protect the roof, siding, foundation, and landscaping from water damage. Unfortunately, like most other components of a home, gutters do fail and require repairs from time to time. If you're agile, brave, and have the right tools, you can fix most of these issues on your own. Here are some tips for fixing the most common three gutter problems.
1. Your gutters clog all of the time
Almost all gutters do eventually get blocked if you do not periodically remove leaves and debris from them. But, what if your gutters are getting clogged in a matter of weeks after you spend time cleaning them? Clearly, you can't scoop debris out of your gutters every other weekend for the rest of your life. A better solution is to install gutter guards, which are like mesh screens. They fit over the top of the gutter, and they prevent anything other than water and the smallest dirt particles from falling through. Most gutter guards can be cut to the length of your gutters and then hooked over the side of the gutter.
2. There are small holes in the bottoms of your gutters
If you see water trickling down in the middle of the gutters, look up. Chances are, you will see some tiny holes in the bottom of the gutter. Wait for a dry day to repair these. After wiping the gutter clean and allowing it to dry, apply a generous glob of roofing cement over the hole. Spread it out to ensure it covers the hole completely, and then let it dry. If the hole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser, you may want to buy a small aluminum patch at the hardware store and place it on top of the glob of cement for extra protection.
3. Your gutter fell off
If the gutter fell off the side of your home, then the brackets that hang from the fascia have probably wiggled themselves loose. Use a screwdriver to tighten the bracket, and then set the gutter back into place. If the gutter still does not stay on, you may want to have a gutter repair company come to replace the hangers. The gutter could also be bent, in which case it will need to be straightened back out again to be hung effectively.
Gutter problems can often be fixed at home, but if you struggle, there are gutter repair companies out there that can help.
