A waterproof sealing product such as GE Clear Gutter Caulk (available on Amazon) is easy to use: Simply squeeze into cracks and holes, then apply a further coating around the entire gutter joint. While not a permanent fix, you can generally get another season or two out of the gutters (as long as the damage isn’t extensive) by applying a silicone or rubber gutter caulk or sealant. If this is the case, you’ll usually spot drips coming down from the joints. Photo: Check for cracks and holes.Īs gutters age, it’s common for them to develop small cracks and holes where gutter sections screw together, due to rust and general wear at the weakest point in the gutters. If water runs through to the downspout without a hitch, you’ve solved the problem. Once gutters are clean, use your garden hose to fill them up with water, and watch for leaks. Then use a power washer or the strongest blast from your garden hose to clear away any remaining grunge. Using a small trowel, a gutter scoop, or your gloved hands, clear away as much debris as possible, dropping it into a bucket for disposal.
If they are full of sodden leaves and smelly muck, it’s likely that your problem isn’t so much a leaking gutter as a spillover. Once the storm is over, grab your ladder and a pair of sturdy work gloves, and take a look inside the rain gutters. If rushing rainwater hits a blockage while running through gutters, it’s going to surge up and over that blockage, usually spilling over the sides of the gutter. Learn if the issue is a clog, not a leak. Here’s what to do if you see water dripping out of the gutters, notice water running down the sides of your house, or find puddles underneath the gutters. Often, you can fix leaking gutters yourself, gaining years more service from your existing setup. That said, a leak or two doesn’t automatically mean it’s time for gutter replacement. Depending on the material, rain gutters generally last anywhere from a decade to 100 years, with vinyl and steel (the most popular and affordable gutter materials) least durable and copper (the priciest) the toughest. Because of that, their longevity is typically much shorter than your home’s lifespan. Rain gutters take a lot of abuse: rushing water during rainstorms, exposure to weather extremes, heavy loads of snow in the coldest climes, clogs of fallen leaves, and the general ravages of time.