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Clean, Repair and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are essential to your home’s exterior but often overlooked. Clogs and minor damage to these areas are common but can be easily repaired. Taking the time to care for your roof drainage system can extend its life and save you the cost of repairing damage from rust, peeling and breaks. Additionally, proper care will help prevent water damage to your home.
In this project, you will learn how to effectively clean, perform minor repairs to, and maintain your gutters and downspouts so they function properly and look clean. Visit your
local True Value store for the expert advice and products you need. Here's how to get started:
Clean Gutters & Downspouts
Repair & Maintain Gutters & Downspouts
Clean Gutters & Downspouts
Plugged gutters and downspouts can cause water to run against the walls of your home, eventually leading to rot. Here's what to do to keep them clean and clog-free:
Safety Alert!
- Sharp objects such as thorns and roofing nails often end up in gutters. Wear heavy gloves for protection. Falling is also a potential hazard. When using a ladder to reach high areas invest in an adjustable ladder stabilizer that attaches to ladders and braces onto the roof.
Step 1. Inspect
Look for corrosion, holes, leaking joints and loose, missing or bent gutter hangers. Use masking tape to mark problem areas so you can locate them quickly when you are ready to move on to repairs.
Step 2. Remove Loose Debris
Handheld blowers or wet/dry vacuums make effective tools for removing debris from gutters and downspouts, particularly on dry days when leaves are loose and light. Some tools include attachments designed specifically for this purpose. Blow out as much loose debris as possible and collect it in yard refuse bags.
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Step 3. Clean Gutters
Use a gutter scoop to eliminate stubborn and compacted debris. Attach a bucket to your ladder with a wire hook for more efficient collection or to carry tools. Start at the downspouts and work away to avoid pushing debris together and creating more clogs.
Helpful Tip:
- Don't discard your gutter waste; it makes a great addition to your compost pile.
Step 4. De-Clog Downspout
If you have a blockage but aren't sure where it originates, check the downspout. Clogging in a roof drainage system usually occurs where it connects to the gutter. Remove the elbow and inspect all parts for clogs. If the blockage is out of reach, de-clog from the bottom up to avoid packing the clog tighter. Run a garden hose through the downspout with a rag tied around it to prevent water from splashing back. Turn on the water full blast until the clog breaks apart and water starts coming out of the downspout. For tougher clogs, try using a plumber's snake in a similar manner. If that fails, pull down the downspout and use a broom handle to clear the blockage.
Repair & Maintain Gutters & Downspouts
If you have a blockage but aren't sure where it originates, check the downspout. Clogging in a roof drainage system usually occurs where it connects to the gutter. Remove the elbow and inspect all parts for clogs. If the blockage is out of reach, de-clog from the bottom up to avoid packing the clog tighter. Run a garden hose through the downspout with a rag tied around it to prevent water from splashing back. Turn on the water full blast until the clog breaks apart and water starts coming out of the downspout. For tougher clogs, try using a plumber's snake in a similar manner. If that fails, pull down the downspout and use a broom handle to clear the blockage.
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Step 1. Repair Small Holes
Repair minor damage to gutters and downspouts, such as small holes and cracks, with a gutter patching kit.
Step 2. Patch Leaks and Tears
Scrape off any accumulated rust or peeling paint with a stainless steel wire brush. Cover the area with a rust treatment solution or rust inhibiting paint and allow it to dry. Apply a 1/8'' inch thick layer of gutter repair cement or roof cement. Flatten the edges by applying pressure to prevent a dam from forming. While the cement is still wet, cover the area with strips of heavy aluminum foil. Press the patch down tightly with a dry cloth to finish.
Helpful Tip:
- When joining two pieces of patch material, overlap them in the direction of water flow and cement the edges together securely to prevent liquid from entering at the seam. This will also maximize drainage speed.
Step 3. Replace Damaged Gutter Sections
Remove any gutter hangers that are in or around the damaged area using a screwdriver or pry bar, depending on what type of gutters you have. Put a 4''X4'' block of wood inside the width of the gutter to prevent it from becoming distorted when you add pressure. Cut out the faulty gutter section with a hacksaw. Cut the new section so it is 2'' longer than the damaged area on each side to allow for overlap. Using a stainless steel wire brush similar to the one you used to patch leaks, scrub the inside edges of the old gutter clean. Caulk the area about 2'' in on the sides and bottom with gutter caulk. Center the new piece into the old gutter so the caulk is covered on both ends and press it in. Screw or rivet the pieces together and caulk over exposed screws. Reattach the gutter hangers when you're finished.
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Step 4. Adjust Pitch of Gutters
The gutters on your home should be installed so there is a drop of approximately 1/16'' for each 1' of gutter. Use chalk and a level to take a reading and record the slope of your gutters.
Another method is to pour a bucket of water into the gutter and observe the flow. If it runs off without leaving pools of water in the gutter, the gutter is set properly. Any high or low spots can often be corrected by bending the hanger that supports the gutter up or down slightly. You may need to add additional gutter hangers to raise or lower the slope of the gutter at any specific point.
Step 5. Install Gutter Screens or Guards
To prevent gutters from filling with leaves and other debris, install a metal gutter screen or, ideally, an aluminum gutter guard. Inexpensive screens will keep leaves out of your gutter but may trap them near the screen. Solid gutter guards extend across the entire width of the gutter, allowing water to roll in while leaves and foreign materials are pushed over the side.
Pat yourself on the back! By taking a few simple maintenance measures, you can now feel confident that your gutters are equipped to work in the worst storms without clogging or damaging your home.
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