Is it Possible to Repair a Gutter Leak Myself?

Is it Possible to Repair a Gutter Leak Myself?

DIY is a great British tradition, a bastion of countless weekends and a way for all of us to make use of those tools we’ve got laying around in our sheds.

From repainting skirting boards to fitting a new bathroom, there are (seemingly) hundreds of jobs available to us at any given moment, but some are more achievable than others.

One of the most common questions we’re asked is about guttering, or, more specifically, whether it’s possible to repair it yourself. Well, the answer is yes, but we’d recommend reading our short guide below before you do anything.

Safety

It should go without saying that working on your gutting can be an extremely dangerous task, but that’s only if you don’t take the right precautions.

You’ll be working at heights, so a ladder is essential, as are ladder stabilisers if you’re going to be working on your gutters from uneven ground. It’s key to note that you should never rest your ladder up against the gutter directly, instead use a ladder stand-off instead. Sturdy, grippy shoes are also a must.

Repairing a leak

From the ground, there’s a strong chance you won’t be able to see what’s really going on with your guttering. It’s only once you’re up there that you’ll have a good idea of what’s going on.

The first thing you should look for is to see if your gutter is full of leafs and debris. Should this be the case, there’s a strong chance that water is simply getting trapped and flowing over the top, thus giving the impression of a leak. Clear your guttering and pour some water into it, if the leak is gone, perfect, if not, let’s move on.

With that water, find the source of the leak. If the leak is coming from the middle of your gutter pipe, clean and dry the area and inject the problem area with roof and gutter sealant, before leaving to dry. If your leak is coming from a connection with a union piece, squeeze the gutter to release the union piece and peel away the gasket before replacing it with a new one.

Whilst up there, it’s a good idea to get a general idea of the health of your guttering. If you’ve got a metal gutter, it could be that rust has begun to set in, which can be sanded down and repaired before being repainted. For plastic gutters, damage may have been suffered and portions of your guttering may need to be replaced.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you.
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