Easy Gutter Fixes You Can DIY

Loose gutters

Spikes and ferrules were once a popular method for hanging gutters. They do a good job for a while, however, the spikes gradually loosen up. At best, pounding them back in is a band-aid solution. Installing fascia hanger brackets is one way to keep your gutter from falling off the home. The setup is straightforward: Simply hook the bracket beneath the gutter's front lip and screw the bracket's opposite side to the fascia. Leave the old spikes in place—a spike head is more appealing than a gutter hole. If your shingles are a few inches overhanging your fascia or you have steel roofing, get brackets with screws built-in (the type shown here). They are more expensive, but the head of the screw remains a few inches away from the fascia, making installation much easier.

Water Seeps Through the Gutter

If water is dripping behind your gutter, it's most likely because there was no flashing built over the back of the gutter. The dripping will be prevented by the gutter apron. A gutter apron is a curved flashing piece that tucks under the shingles and over the gutter. A gutter apron is sold in 10-foot lengths at home centres. You may need to remove your hangers temporarily as you go, or you may cut a notch in the apron to accommodate them. Fasten the apron in place with sheet metal screws once it's in position. Get some roll flashing and tuck it up under the drip edge and over the top of the gutter if there's a drip edge installed where the fascia meets your shingles and the gutter is hung below the drip edge. Aluminium flashing in 6-in. × 10-ft. rolls is available at home centres. Cut the gutter apron flashing roll into two 3-in. strips with tin snips. Because galvanised steel corrodes aluminium, acquire steel roll flashing if your gutters are steel.

Drips are a pain.

Are you annoyed by the sound of water dripping from your downspouts? Tie a rope to one of the gutter hangers and run it down into the downspout to solve the problem. Water drops will cling to the rope rather than plunging the length of the gutter and generating a loud dripping noise.

If your gutter is prone to overflowing or your downspout is quickly clogged with twigs and leaves, adding a rope may not be the greatest option. A rope constructed of synthetic fibres, such as nylon, will last longer than a rope made of natural fibres.

Use a Slip Joint to Make Repairs

If a tree branch falls on the last four feet of your 60-foot seamless gutter, you don't have to repair the entire gutter; only the damaged piece needs to be replaced. It's simple to add a portion of the gutter to an existing section if your gutters are white or brown. Gutter parts in white and brown and slip joints to connect them are available at most home centres.

If your gutters are a custom colour, a home centre can order your gutters in that colour, but not the slip joint. But don't worry; a box mitre can be used to build your own, and box mitres come in every colour gutter.

Gutters that are leaking

End caps, splices, drop outlets, and mitres all need to be sealed on a metal gutter. Purchase a product designed specifically to seal gutter seams. The seam sealer can withstand prolonged submersion. It's also resistant to light, which it'll be exposed to frequently.

Most importantly, a good seam sealer is runny, allowing it to sink deep into the seam for a strong, long-lasting bond. This feature is commonly referred to as "self-levelling" in most products. And the runnier the better, so keep the seam sealer somewhere warm if you're applying it on a cool day.