In our previous article we talked about the how to’s in cleaning and repairing a gutter. Now, we will try to cover (pun intended) leaks on a gutter and how to go about fixing it.

First thing to do is inspect all gutter seams for possible leaks. It’s really difficult to tell if a seam leaks when there is no water in the gutter, but the seams often drip dirty water and leave dark streaks below. If you suspect any seam of being less than water tight, you should seal it before it gets worse.

Sometimes, for minor leaks, you can force sealant into the seam without taking the pieces apart. Use a caulk-sealant specifically formulated for the type of gutter you have. These sealants are synthesized to adhere and remain resilient in hot and cold temperatures. If you cannot push the sealant into the joint, you’ll have to open the seam.

Gutter seams usually are held in place with rivets. Remove the rivets by drilling them out with a bit that is slightly larger than the hole in the center of the rivet. With the rivets removeed, you can pull the seams apart and clean them with a putty knife or coarse sandpaper. Remove all traces of the old sealant and make sure the surfaces are smooth.

Apply a new bead of sealant, reassamble the joint, and install new pop rivets.

After you’ve made all the necessary repairs to the gutters, inspect the mounting brackets to ensure that they are secure and the gutters have’nt pulled away from the roof. Don’t forget to check the brackets that hold the downspouts to the wall.

Now is the best time for inspecting and cleaning rain gutters. If you neglected to repair your gutter during the summer months, you can still do repair while rainy season is just starting.

The common culprit of gutter damage are the accumulations of leaves and dirt that block the flow of rain water. The weight of the debris can cause the gutters to sag and pull away from the houses. Once the gutters are cleaned out, you can inspect them for damage and make any necessary repairs. This article covers a few tips in gutter cleaning.

When the gutters and downspouts are clean, inspect them for corrosion and cracks. If you find a damaged section, use a wire brush to remove the rust; then apply a coating of roof cement over the area and at least 6 inches beyond in both directions. Cut a piece of metal flashing large enough to cover the damaged area. Embed the patch in the cement and apply a second coat of roofing cement.

You can also use roofing cement to give the inside of the gutters a protective finish. Thin the roofing cement and then brush it on all areas where the paint has become worn.

Soffits are the narrow strip of ceiling material made of either wood, metal, or pvc that covers the underside of the roof eaves. This part of the house is often ignored by homeowners until rot, corrosion or decay develops which is usually caused by leaks in the roof that drip down and collect in the eaves and on the soffit boards.

Homeowners should inspect the soffits at most once a year because a damaged or decayed soffit may be an indication of even greater damage in the roof structure above. In most cases an ocular inspection will tell whether you have problems or not. Look for badly peeling paint, warped boards, brown water stains, and of course, rotted sections. It’s not enough somply to paint over the area or even replace the soffits. The soffit should be removed so you can examine the rafter tails, the nailers, and the fascia boards from the inside.

If your house is only one storey high, soffit inspection, removal and working under the eaves is fairly easy. On a two-storey house however, it can be quite a hazardous job for the homeowner so it is a must that a professional should handle the job.

You need only a few tools to clean the gutters: a hose with a spray nozzle, a bucket, whisk broom (walis tingting), putty knife, and a small trowel.

Use the putty knife and trowel to dislodge and remove the leaves, twigs, and dirt. Use the broom to sweep small amounts of dirt into piles for easier pickup. You can also use your hands to scoop out the debris, but be sure to wear heavy duty gloves. Deposit all of the collected material in the bucket. After you have removed the debris, wash the gutters clean with a hose.

Next, examine the downspouts and make sure they are not clogged. If one is clogged, chances are that you’ll find wet leaves or debris in an elbow joint. try to pull the leaves out (you may have to remove the elbow to do this) Do not attempt to force leaves through the downspout; that will push them into the center section and make matters worse.

If the clog is deeper into the downspout, you may be able to clear it with water. Use the hose to shoot a strong stream into the opening. You may also remove the obstruction by forcing a plumber’s snake down the downspout. Now that everything is cleaned up in your gutter, it will be much easier to notice cracks so you can have the gutter repaired immediately.