The weather in the Delaware Valley is not kind to gutters. Heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and high winds batter your gutters year-round. As a result, leaks can develop at the joints and seams of the gutter system. As a homeowner, you may want to know how to seal gutter joints so that those leaks don’t start damaging your house.
Tips for Sealing Gutter Joints
If possible, choose a clear, dry day when the weather is warm. The silicone caulk or roofing cement needed to complete repairs performs best at moderate temperatures. Before you can seal the joints anew, you must clean off the old caulk and grime completely. Any type of all-purpose household cleaner should suffice when cleaning the pieces. Make sure that the surfaces are completely dry before applying new sealing materials. Always place your ladder on stable ground. The ladder needs to be long enough so that you can comfortably reach inside the gutter.
How to Seal Gutter Joints Step by Step
Our professionals have outlined effective steps for fixing gutter holes, joints, and seams. Sealing your gutter joints can protect the structure of your home.
To Fix Gutter Holes
- A puncture directly into the gutter means that you have to cut a patch out of metal flashing.
- Clear debris away from the hole.
- Scrub the area with a wire brush and then wash.
- Dry the area completely.
- Take the tin snips and cut a patch that will cover the hole.
- Spread roofing cement across the edges of the hole with a putty knife.
- Push the patch into the roofing cement.
- Spread a layer of cement over the entire patch, including the edges.
To Fix Gutter Joints
- Inspect the joint where the gutter meets the downspout to find the broken seals.
- Scrub off debris and old cement or caulk with a wire brush.
- Wash the joint area with a cleaning solution and rinse with water.
- Wipe dry with rags.
- Apply a bead of silicone caulk over the joint connection.
- To finish how to seal gutter joints, press the gutter and downspout tightly together.
- Wipe off excess caulk that squeezes out.
- Put down another bead of silicone caulk.
To Fix Gutter Seams
- When a seam between gutter sections fails, you need to disassemble the seam.
- Remove the screws securing the seam.
- Keep the screws.
- Pry the seam apart. You may need to crack old caulk with your hands or putty knife.
- Scrub off the old caulk and dirt with the wire brush.
- Clean and dry the edges.
- Put a bead of caulk on the edge of the bottom gutter piece.
- Press the top gutter piece against the caulk.
- Confirm that caulk has squished through the entirety of the seam. If not, open the seam and add more caulk.
- With the edges held together by caulk, put the screws back in.