Here at Drainage Superstore, we are proud to offer an incredibly wide range of gutters and guttering products, from traditional cast-iron guttering to plastic guttering, aluminium guttering and even copper gutters.
As well as providing you with a vast range of guttering at our competitive prices, we also want to provide you with help and advice to ensure you maximise the lifespan of your chosen guttering system. Read on to find out all about why gutters leak, why leaking gutters can cause issues, and how to repair gutters leaks.
Table of contents:
Why do gutters leak?
There are a number of reasons that gutters leak, and in order to understand how to fix leaking gutters, it is important to first understand why gutters are leaking.
Blocked gutters
One of the most common reasons for leaking gutters is that debris has built up over time and created a blockage, preventing water from passing through the guttering system effectively. This then causes the water to spill over the sides of the gutter, and can also cause the gutter to split due to the weight of standing water and debris.
Incorrectly installed gutters
Another reason gutters may leak is that they are not installed correctly, with a slight pitch to allow the water to flow down and into the downpipe. If the gutter does not have a slight fall, the water will not flow from the gutter efficiently, resulting in standing water. This puts pressure on the gutter joints and gutter clips, and not only will rainwater potentially overflow, but it may also cause the gutter to split or crack under the weight of the water.
Joint issues
Over time, gutter joints may wear down and deteriorate. As gutter joints deteriorate, their effectiveness in providing a sealed joint between two sections of guttering is reduced, meaning rainwater can leak at the gutter joint. Naturally, some gutter materials expand and contract with fluctuations in temperature, and as this happens it may weaken the joint seals.
Holes in gutters
Occasionally, holes can form within gutter runs. This can be due to corrosion, general wearing down of the gutter material, or a sharp object falling and damaging the gutter. When holes form within the gutter, water can exit the gutter through them instead of passing along the gutter run, creating a leak.
The issues associated with gutters leaking
If your gutter starts to leak, there are a number of issues that can arise, causing both structural and aesthetic problems. When gutters leak, water will not pass through the guttering system effectively, and the water will instead run and pool elsewhere.
When gutters are not working effectively, water can pass over the roof and fascia, which often results in the rotting of wooden structural elements and potential structural instability, or it can pass down the side of the building, and pool at the side of the building, which could lead to flooding of basements and the building, or worse, affect the foundations of the building. Additionally, the water may pass down onto timber decking and porches, which can cause them to rot.
How to repair leaking gutters
There are a number of different ways to repair leaking gutters, depending on the cause of the gutter leak.
How to repair blocked gutters
If your gutter is leaking due to clogged-up materials and blockages, the first step is to remove all debris and clean your gutters out. Take a look at our recent guide on how to clean gutters for more detail, and it might be worth installing leaf guards or leaf brushes along your guttering to prevent future blockages from occurring.
How to repair gutters with an insufficient fall
If your gutter is leaking due to poorly installed guttering, the gutters will require readjusting to ensure there is a fall angled towards the rainwater outlet. This will allow the rainwater to travel more efficiently through the gutter system and prevent future leaks from occurring.
How to repair leaking gutter joints
If your gutter is leaking due to poor joint connections, this may be a relatively easy fix. Firstly scrape out any dirt and debris from the gutter joint, and make sure it is dry. Then just apply some gutter sealant to the joint, and squeeze the gutter pieces together to ensure a strong connection. If your guttering is connected with a union clip, this may need replacing if it is broken or damaged.
How to repair leaking gutter ends
If your guttering is leaking at the end of a gutter run, this is likely to be because the stop end is damaged, or has come off. If this is the case, simply install a new stop end at the end of the gutter run and the water should be diverted into the downpipe.
How to repair holes in gutters
If your guttering has small holes in it which are causing leaks, they can be easily filled in with roof and gutter sealant. If the holes are slightly larger, opt for a glass-fibre filler, or alternatively replace the gutter section completely. If your gutter is manufactured from cast iron, and rust is starting to occur, this can cause damage and eventually form holes. To repair rusted gutter sections, smooth off the patch or rust with a wire hand brush, before applying a coat of metal primer, followed by paint.