Rusted Gutters Repair

Most gutters are held in place with large spikes that pass through tubular sleeves called ferrules.

Rusted gutters repair.

Jim from london ontario writes. If it is large use a piece of galvanized metal flashing. Certain sections seem to have rusted through and have developed pin to dime size holes that leak. I have a 30 year old home and the metal gutters have never been replaced.

When treating rusted gutters small patches of rust can be rubbed down with an emery cloth or some fine sandpaper whilst larger patches should be cleaned up with a stiff wire brush or a wire brush wheel fitted in a drill. This is referred to as rust corrosion and is obviously a more serious problem. Do you have any suggestions short of replacing the gutter just patching small holes often still. Downspouts which usually suffer less abuse than the gutter troughs can last even longer up to 30 years.

The national association of home builders states that aluminum and steel rain gutters have a lifetime of up to 20 years. If the rust has gone unchecked for an amount of time you may find that a hole has eaten right through the steel. In either case rub the rust back until you see only clean bare. When a spike pulls free a gutter can sag and in some cases come crashing down.

If the metal gutter parts have rusted through you can quickly and easily patch it. If the hole is small you can use plastic roofing cement. Aluminium gutters will not rust. To repair a sagging gutter you have to replace the spike with something that won t withdraw easily in this case 7 in long fastenmaster gutter screws 10 for a.

Learning how to fix leaky gutters is an easy inexpensive project you can do yourself.