A bent gutter is one of the most common problems in homes with a flat roof. It’s usually not a problem, unless it’s really bad. You will learn how to fix bent gutters in this article.
Bent gutters can cause water from your roof to leak into your walls and ruin flooring, mold and wood. It’so important to fix bent gutters before more serious problems arise. Here are some ways that you can fix your problem fast and avoid future problems.
Hire someone
Bent gutters are typically caused by a tree branch falling onto them, a heavy snow load, or just general wear and tear. Regardless of the cause, they’re an easy fix if you take the right steps.
Trying to repair a bent gutter yourself is not recommended if you don’t know how to fix bent gutters. It is best to call up your local gutter repair contractor and get their opinion on how much it will cost to fix your gutter. If possible, ask them if they provide free repairs for new customers. Many companies will do this as a way to build their reputation in your area.
When you call a contractor, don’t let them talk you into replacing your entire gutter system just because one part has bent out of place. They will try this because it’s more profitable for them than fixing it.
While hiring someone is the fastest and easiest method to fix your bent gutters, it’s not always the most cost effective. If it’s a small job that you can do on your own, you can save some money by doing it yourself.
Don’t do it alone
Find someone who can help hold the plastic channel in place while you are trying to fix your gutter. You may want to ask around and find someone who knows how to weld if no one else is able to help hold the channel in place for you.
If you are willing to try and fix it yourself, here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Clean the gutter.
It is quite easy to clean the gutters once in a while but it becomes difficult when they are filled with all kinds of debris.
Use a blower to remove debris from the gutters. A leaf blower is particularly good for this task because it’s designed to handle wet leaves that might otherwise clog or gum up a traditional vacuum cleaner.
This should be done every time when the fall season arrives so that no debris gets stuck inside your gutter again.
Step 2: Locate and identify the problem area.
The first thing you need to do when trying to fix a leaky gutter is located and identify the problem area. You can use your ears or your eyes for this part of the project. If you hear water running outside from your gutters, then that’s where the problem is. If your gutters are overflowing with water, then that’s another sign that there is a problem with them.
Step 3: Search for tears and holes in your gutter.
Tears or holes may not always be visible to the naked eye, so you may want to take a look with a flashlight.
Look for dents, dings and scratches as well. Sometimes these are caused by poor installation; other times they’re just for everyday wear and tear.
Rusted sections aren’t necessarily a problem as long as they’re not leaking. However, if you see rust on your downspout, it’s time to replace it because it’s become weaker and could break at any time.
If you have a wooden or composite downspout, look for missing or damaged shingles on the top and sides of the spout. These problems are easy to spot because they’ll be obvious gaps where shingles are missing or badly damaged.
Step 4: How to Fix Bent Gutters.
If your gutter has been knocked out of shape, you’ll want to try to put it back in place as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the gutter will loosen and start leaking. To fix it, you can use a couple of different techniques depending on what caused the damage in the first place.
Heat gun.
To fix a bent gutter, start by buying a low-temperature heat gun and some fiberglass gutter repair tape. The heat gun will help soften the gutter so that you can reshape it, while the fiberglass gutter repair tape will help secure the bent pieces back in place.
Begin by removing any leaves or other debris from the area behind the gutter. This will ensure that the gun doesn’t get clogged with additional obstructions during use.
Once you’ve cleaned out all of the debris, turn on your heat gun and move it along the length of your gutter. Do this slowly, being careful not to burn yourself or anything else in your vicinity. Continue until you’ve reached every spot that has been damaged.
Tape.
If the bent area is small, you can use masking or duct tape to straighten it out. Cut a piece of tape to fit in the bend. The tape will stick to itself, so after you have lined it up as straight as possible, pull off one end and press it onto the other side of the gutter.
Run a bead.
If there is a long section of gutter with a minor bend, you can run a bead of caulk along that length and then bend it into shape. You will need caulk that dries clear, so it doesn’t show up against your house’s siding.
Bend it.
If the area is large, you can use a heat gun to warm up the gutter and then bend it back into place with your hands or by using pliers.
Paint.
Rust greatly impacts how your gutters perform and how easy they are to repair. Minor rusted areas can be painted over with rust-proof paint. If the rust is more severe, however, you must replace those sections.
Buy a gutter repair kit
The most important tool you’ll need is your gutter repair kit. These kits come with everything you need to straighten sections of your gutter. They’re fairly inexpensive and are available at most home improvement stores. The best thing about these kits is that they have several different bend correction methods for all kinds of situations.
Do you need a simple repair or a Replacement?
Sometimes the damage is too great for a simple repair and you need to replace the whole thing.
Different types of gutters are available and you may have a choice between aluminum and PVC. Aluminum is more expensive but lasts longer, especially if you’re in an area that gets a lot of snow or ice. PVC is cheaper, but can develop cracks and holes over time, particularly under heavier loads.
Replacing the gutter is usually pretty straightforward work. The gutter itself usually comes in sections that you can cut down with tin snips so they’ll fit onto your roof correctly. It’s just a matter of putting everything back together again.
You might also want to consider seamless gutters, which are designed to be attached directly to your house and are less likely to leak than the traditional type that attaches to the fascia board.
Even if you don’t notice any leaks coming from your gutters, you should still check them regularly for tears and holes. You may not see a problem right away, but over time, small issues can grow and become a big problem that will cost you more money in repairs.
