Repairing gutters can be a daunting task, but it’s one that you can do with a little bit of know-how. Here are some simple gutter repairs that you can handle yourself to keep your home in good shape.
Movable downspout
Are you tired of removing your downspouts every time you mow? Consider installing a hinge where the lowest elbow meets the section of downspout that runs into your yard.
Installation is simple: Just cut the downspout at a 45-degree angle with a tin snips or metal-cutting blade and fasten the two-piece Zip Hinge (sold at home centers or online) with eight sheet metal screws. The hinges come in white only, so you might have to spray-paint them to match. Source: FamilyHandyman
Rust removal
You can smooth off patches of rust with an emery cloth, but take care not to rub so hard that you make a hole. If there are large areas of rust, brush them off with a wire hand brush or use a round wire cup brush fitted in an electric drill. After that, paint the affected area with a rust-inhibiting metal primer, and then with black bitumen or gloss paint. If there are any small holes in your gutter, fill them first with roof-and-gutter sealant. You can fill a bigger hole with glass-fibre filler, but if the guttering is in poor condition with a lot of holes you should really replace it altogether. Source: DIY
Slope correction
Water standstill in gutters is a condition where the water no longer moves in the direction of the downspouts. In some cases, the water might even move backward.
If the water has not stopped flowing due to a clog, it’s usually because the slope is not adequate to move the water down to the downspout.
The gutters may have been improperly installed in the first place. Or the gutters might be loosening in one part of the run. If the fascia is failing, it can change the slope of the gutters.
Generally, you’ll need to remove the gutter and mounting brackets. If the fascia is in bad shape, you should replace it. Install the gutter so that the slope ranges from 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch vertical drop per 10 feet horizontal. A 1/4-inch drop is a safe average. Source: TheSpruce
Not confident with your DIY skills? We can lend you a hand. Call us for a free estimate!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
