If your gutters are leaking, then it’s time to put a stop to the madness by learning all about sealing gutter seams…
Lucky for you, sealing gutter seams is relatively easy to do as long as you know the exact steps to take…
And wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what I’m about to share with you now…
But before I get into that, I can actually help you with any gutter or roof leaks, if you call me to clean your gutters anywhere on the Peninsula…
Ahh, forget it…
You don’t need me to do it, now that you’ve got this guide in your hands…
Let’s get into it…
Step 1: Work out which Gutter Seams Are Leaking…
Before you start sealing gutter seams, you need to identify the areas that are leaking.
This is usually best done when it’s raining…
So grab yourself an umbrella and take a stroll around your house during a rainstorm.
Take a look at all of the corners and see if you have a drip…
It will look something like this…
See how it’s black and slimy?
Plus you’ll notice that the fascia board is split and swollen…
That’s also a tell tale sign that you have a leaking gutter joint…
Also pay close attention to any joints that you see in the middle of the gutter…
It will look something like this…
See how it looks all discoloured and grimy?
That usually means that there is a leak on that gutter joint as well…
These are the areas that need attention.
Step 2: Clean the Gutter Seam before sealing…
Now that you’ve found out where all your leaking gutter joints are, it’s time to get your hands dirty…
Are you ready for this?
I’m about to show you how to fix a leaking gutter joint…
Grab a ladder long enough to reach your gutters, and set it up right next to your leaking gutter joint…
Then get up there and use your hands or any gutter cleaning tools to remove any debris that’s accumulated in the gutters. Make sure you get rid of all the dirt, leaves, and twigs that could be blocking the seam you want to seal…
You can’t seal up a dirty gutter seam, the silicone won’t stick to dirt, grime or dampness…
And do you know what else silicone won’t stick to?
Old seleants…
So if your gutter leak looks like this…
You’ll need to scrape all of that old sealant off first…
Take a knife and a scraper and go to work on that leaking gutter joint…
Get as much of the old silicone out of there as you can…
And then it’ll also pay to get yourself a bottle of paint thinners or an alcohol rub to really scrub that gutter joint and clean it up properly…
Getting the joint clean is actually one of the most important parts of this whole operation…
Sometimes, it’ll be best if you take the whole joint apart, clean it out and then put it back together…
Once it’s all clean, the next step is…
Step 3: Dry the Gutter Before Sealing Gutter Seams…
Remember how I said that silicone won’t stick to damp surfaces??
Yeah well, once you’ve cleared away all the gutter gunk and debris, it’s time to dry the area around the leaking gutter joint…
All you need is an old rag or a towel to soak up any standing water in the gutter. You want the area to be completely dry before you apply the sealant.
If there’s water in your gutter that keeps flowing into your freshly cleaned gutter joint, use a bunch of rags as a dam to hold the water back while you seal it up…
The other method is to use a leaf blower to blow the water straight out of your gutter…
It pays to still put your temporary “rag dam” in the place just while you’re sealing the gutter seam…
Now your gutter joint is all dry let’s move onto…
Step 4: Apply the Gutter Leak Sealant…
Now it’s time for the fun part…
Applying the sealant!
There are a variety of sealants on the market that are designed specifically for sealing gutter seams.
Make sure you choose one that’s compatible with the material your gutters are made from.
I recommend using a sealant that’s easy to apply, like a roof and gutter silicone…
This is the one that I use…
Don’t forget you’ll need a caulking gun as well…
Using the caulking gun, apply the sealant along the entire length of the seam you want to seal.
Make sure you apply enough sealant to create a watertight barrier.
Then work the silicone around in small circles with your finger so it’s evenly distributed along the seam…
Step 5: Wait for the Sealant to Dry
Once you’ve applied the sealant, it’s time to let it dry.
It will usually take around 24 hours for the silicone to dry properly so don’t touch it or you’ll mess it up…
Now if it rains before the silicone dries, that’s no problem. It won’t mess up the silicone once it’s in place…
Wet silicone will still stop a gutter joint from leaking…
So remove that rag dam that you set up earlier, it’s ok if the water touches it now…
That silicone is going nowhere…
At this point, you’re pretty much done…
Well done!!
Now all you have to do is…
Step 6: Check Your Leaking Gutter Joint Next Time it Rains…
Now this is the big test…
Wait for the next rainstorm and check to see if the leak has been fixed…
If you notice any water dripping from the seam, do not apply another layer of sealant…
Remember how I said that silicone won’t stick to silicone?
If your gutter is still leaking after sealing your gutter seam, then you’ll need to redo it…
Or maybe it’s time to call in a plumber to do it properly…
But in all honesty…
If you follow the steps I’ve laid out for you above, 9 times out of 10, you will have fixed your leaking gutter…
So there you have it…
A simple step-by-step guide to sealing gutter seams…
With a little bit of effort, you can save yourself from a lot of headaches and potential damage to your home…
So grab your ladder and get to work!
This is definitely the best way to seal gutter seams…
Now before I go, it would be crazy if I didn’t offer to do this for you…
You see, I’m an ex-plumber and I’ve been sealing gutter seams for almost 20 years…
So, if you need your gutters cleaned anywhere around Mornington, I can also fix your leaking gutter seams at the same time…
That’s about all from me today…
Good luck with sealing that gutter seam…
Peace,
Jason…
FAQ
To seal gutter seams you need to use a sealant such as a roof and gutter silicone or an Epoxy sealant…
First you need to clean the gutter seam from debris then you’ll need to remove all of the old silicone. Next you apply a fresh bead of silicone and smooth it over with your finger…
Your gutter usually leaks at the join if you have debris that is clogging your gutters. It also means that the silicone in the joint has come apart and need to be replaced…
Yes, every gutter seam needs to be caulked with a sealant so it doesn’t leak…
