Leaking Gutters: 3 Main Causes Of Gutter Leaks And Effective Solutions To Deal With A Leaking Gutter

Gutter leaks reduce the efficiency of water drainage on your roof and it's important that you protect your gutter from the things that cause these leaks. Observing proper maintenance of your gutter is a sure way of avoiding gutter leaks. Below are some essential guidelines to help you prevent gutter leaks and keep your gutter system in good working condition.

Align Your Gutter

To avoid gutter leaks, it's critical you ensure that your gutter is aligned in a way that allows water to flow easily. If water does not flow easily through the gutter, your gutter will overflow and leak water along the edges. You can tell if your gutter is not aligned by checking if there is a part that is sagging. The weight of debris and water, and variations in temperatures are the main reasons your gutter is likely to sag.

For sagging gutters, you should adjust the affected areas or you may be forced to adjust the entire gutter if the damage is affecting nearly the whole gutter system. Gutter Helmet advises that you should maintain a slope of about ½ an inch for every 10 feet of guttering so as to achieve the right gutter drainage slope. If you're not in a position to rehang your gutter correctly, it's advisable to call a professional roofer or gutter expert to align your gutter for you.

Repaint Your Gutter

Repainting your gutter regularly, preferably every few years, helps prevent gutter leaks caused by cracks. A coat of paint on your gutter acts as a protective barrier and reduces the chances of having cracks on the gutter. Remember that your gutter is likely to crack because it's exposed to extremely low temperatures, especially in the chilly seasons.

If the paint coating on your gutter wears off, your gutter will be exposed to the extreme cold temperatures making it prone to cracks. It's advisable that you repaint your gutter without fail. Remember that you should repaint your gutter depending on the type of weather in your place, advises Do It Yourself. So consult a gutter expert who may advise you how often you should repaint your gutter given the type of weather in your place.

Replace Your Gutter

Sometimes the best way to fix a gutter leak problem is by replacing your old gutter system with a new one. Replacing your gutter is ideal when the damage is extensive. Extensive gutter damage can be caused by gutter breakages, extensive rusting or deterioration of the gutter material.

When replacing your gutter, it's advisable to get a strong and versatile material that is resistant to damage. For example, copper gutters are durable and resistant to rusting. These features make copper gutters long-lasting and economical in the long-run because the number of repairs and replacement is likely to be minimal.

Gutter leaks can become a major problem if you fail to take care of the problem in good time. The tips mentioned above can help you learn how to avoid and manage a gutter leaks effectively.