How to Fix Gutter Joint Separation

Over time, even the most well-designed, premium metal gutters are destined to wear. After years and years of nature’s wrath beating down on them, it’s integral that they are inspected, maintained, repaired, and replaced when necessary. Gutter sections can separate and pull apart from one another – demonstrating signs of failure.

While most homeowners hire a professional gutter repair company and don’t consider gutter repair a DIY job – if you decide to tackle the rehab on your own, there are a few things you should know about how to fix gutter joint separation.

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What are the Causes of Gutter Joint Separation

There are many reasons why the joints in your gutter system may separate and cause leakage – no matter the age of the system.

If the contractor rushed through the process or was not an expert in the art of proper gutter maintenance or installation, it’s possible that they could make mistakes in the slope or tilt of the gutter which doesn’t channel the water as intended. If they used material to join gutter sections together that wasn’t the best quality or wasn’t made for joining gutters, it may also result in joint separation and leakage.

During the snowy times of the year, ice dams can form when melted snow refreezes in the gutter. The weight and pressure of the ice block can pull gutter sections down and separate the joints.

During a major rain and wind storm, tree branches (or entire trees) can break and come into contact with gutters, jostling them apart or dislodging those gutter sections from the house.

If debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt is permitted to collect in your gutter system, the blockage could cause water to accumulate in only one section. The excess weight on only one portion of the line can cause a breakage in the gutter joints.

Materials Used to Fix Gutter Joint Separation

Gutter installation contractors – both new and experienced, may choose to use the material they’re most comfortable with or that they view as the most applicable when installing or repairing gutter joints.

While not as often as they used to be, nails are sometimes used to connect gutters by hammering these long nails or spikes through the outside of the gutter, through the gutter basin, and into the fascia board. However, nails tend to loosen, pop out, and can actually contribute to gutter clogging.

Screws were invented to hold things together but as debris smashes into the gutters from high-wind storms, screws can twist and become loose – leaving your gutter joint separating again after a few years.

Some technicians use silicone caulk to reseal gutter joints. Commonly used around bathtubs and sinks in your home, silicone caulk has the ability to peel over time which may require homeowners to continually perform mends. It’s a fix for now, but not the best long-term repair material.

Unlike screws, spikes, or caulk, rivets may be the most reliable method of attaching gutter joints and preventing future separation because of the way they are formed. Instead of having a head on only one end like a screw, a rivet has heads on both ends which secures the joints.

Time to Call in a Professional Gutter Repair Company?

If the thought of purchasing a rivet gun and climbing a rickety ladder with it in hand doesn’t sound like something you could master to avoid water damage to your home, research reputable gutter maintenance companies in your area. An expertly-trained and fully insured gutter repair company often guarantees their work so if any problems persist, they will make the needed repairs. High-quality companies commonly offer a gutter protection plan to inspect your gutters and maintain them to ensure that they are doing their job.

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Don’t take chances with the possibility of your gutter joints failing and leaking into your roofing material, down the side of your home creating stains, or seeping into your home’s foundation. Consider hiring the experts to do the job right and sleep easy knowing that your gutters are leak-free and rivet-sturdy.

Published in: Home advice | Author: Lynn