Patch a Gutter Leak

Rain gutter maintenance can help keep your home or basement clear of rainwater. Once you figure out where the water is leaking, you can patch a gutter leak with just a few supplies and avoid damage due to rainwater seeping into your home's foundation.

Steps

Fix a Metal Gutter Railing

  1. Scrub the area of the gutter that has holes using a wire brush to remove all debris or rust. Use a rag to wipe the gutter until it is clean and dry.
    • If there is a lot of hard debris or rust, use a wire wheel brush attached to a rotary tool or electric drill to clean the surface.
  2. Apply a rust converter to the leaking area. Converters will stop any remaining rust from spreading. Let the converter dry completely before continuing.
  3. Spread a thin layer of roofing cement on the gutter, making sure the cement covers least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} past the hole on all sides.
  4. Cut a piece of metal flashing or aluminum foil that is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} larger than the gutter hole. Push the piece down into the cement; there should be a 1-inch border of cement around the perimeter of the metal.
    • If the hole in the gutter is bigger than a small pinhole, use metal flashing, not foil.
  5. Cover the flashing or foil with another thin layer of roofing cement. Round the edges so water flows over the patch easily. Be sure the entire patched area is not thicker than {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} -- any thicker, and water may back up around the area.
  6. Let the area cure for 24 hours before testing it with water.

Fix a Metal Gutter Downspout

  1. Remove the downspout from the side of the house.
  2. Run water through the spout to figure out where the leak is coming from if you don't already know for sure.
  3. Pull the spout apart at the seam where it is leaking.
  4. Clean the seam areas using a metal brush to remove old caulk, debris and rust. If the metal brush doesn't work, use a rotary tool or drill with a wire wheel brush.
  5. Rinse the seams and completely dry the area.
  6. Spread a bead of gutter adhesive caulk around a joint and push it into the joint of the second downspout section.
  7. Let sections dry completely before putting the downspout section back up to the gutter.

Fix Vinyl Gutters and Downspouts

  1. Clean debris from around a hole in the gutter rail using water and soft brush.
  2. Spread polyurethane caulk in a thin layer, less than 1/8-inch thick, over the hole. Let it dry completely before testing the patch.
    • If the hole is bigger than a small pinhole, you may need to place a vinyl gutter patch over the caulk and then spread a second thin layer of caulk over the patch. Keep the edges smooth and the entire patch as thin as possible so that it doesn't cause water to back up in the gutter.
  3. Take down any vinyl downspouts that leak, and take the spouts apart at the leaking seams.
  4. Scrape old caulk and debris off the joints and wipe them clean.
  5. Spread a thin layer of polyurethane caulk on the seam of one section and place it into the other downspout section.
  6. Allow the sections to dry completely before attaching the downspout to the railing.



Tips

  • The easiest way to prevent gutter damage is to regularly maintain them. At the very least, you should clean your gutters out once a year. Remove all leaves and other debris that builds up and causes standing water. Standing water causes gutters to pull away from the roof, sag and even come apart at the seams.

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Sources and Citations

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