Let us not deny that gutters are a necessity in areas with high precipitation. High precipitation means lots of rainfall. And a lot of rainfall means a lot of dampness and stagnant water. This is not good for homes and the people that live in them. So it is highly important to have rain gutters in place so that the rainwater that falls on the house can be directed safely away from homes into safer spots. But it is also an undeniable fact that gutters and especially concrete gutters are more prone to damage than other gutters. Almost every few months after a heavy downpour or a snowstorm, repairs are required. It can often be highly expensive too unless you learn to do it yourself. Concrete gutter repairs are a little easier compared to other gutters. It can be done easily as a do it yourself project.
Equipment That You Will Need
There is no need to fear the word equipment, there is no specific equipment or tools needed for concrete gutter repair. Repairing concrete gutters require only a step stool, a pair of gloves and gutter glue. With these simple tools and a little practice, there will not be a need to hire professionals or spend a lot of money on gutter repairs anymore. It is a simple project, one can easily identify the leaks and fix them easily.
Why Concrete Gutters Are More Prone To Leaks?
Leaks and damages are common in gutters in general. But they are even more common when it comes to concrete gutters. And various issues cause gutters to leak. And it is important to understand the causes so that they can be dealt with accordingly.
1. Blocked Gutters
This is one of the more common reasons behind leaky gutters. Many folks do not realize the importance of clearing the gutters in time. The filters are a collection point for dead leaves, debris and dirt. If this is not cleaned in due time this will lead to a build-up of dirt and no place for the water to run through. This blockage may cause water to overflow and if it is still not cleared, the water will never completely drain from the gutters leaving them to become heavy with water and begin to leak at the weak points.
2. Gutters That are Not installed With Due Care
Gutters require precision to be installed. The sloped roofs are key to getting the rainwater down into the gutters. The gutters themselves are built with a little bit of a slope to guide the water towards the downpipes. This will lead to stagnant water within the gutters and will create a lot of pressure on the joints. And the joints are the weakest points of a gutter and will lead to minor damages that end up with gutter leaks. Even after the rains have long since ended, the stagnant water will keep leaking and keep the walls wet.
3. The Joints Problem
Joints are a major problem area in gutters. With most gutters, the very first issues to occur are at the joints. The joints are quite simply the weakest points of a gutter even when it is at its strongest. It will also be the first spot to weather down with time and begin to decline. Joints are usually attached and sealed and with inefficient gutter installation or other issues, this will begin to damage and start leaking. Moreover, these materials are prone to thermal expansion, the main area to be damaged from thermal expansion is the joints of the gutters. This is one of the major causes of leaky gutters.
How To Repair Concrete Gutters?
Now that the basics have been established let us get to the matter at hand. The first and most important thing is to identify which of the above issue is causing the leaking and begin to fix it that way.
- If the issue is caused due to blocked gutters, it is important to address that. Cleaning the gutter thoroughly, checking the filters for damages and replacing them if needed should be the first step. It is important to remove all the dead and fallen leaves, the rubbish and the debris that are causing the clog and blocks. It is also important to schedule regular gutter cleanups to avoid leaks in the future.
- Next, if the issue is with the installation, then it may be time to have it readjusted. If the issue is too much to be done without professional help it is time to get gutter repair services. The angle of the gutter will need to be changed, and it can be done either professionally or by yourself depending on the skillset.
- For issues with the joints, it is important to check the problem area precisely. It is important to clean the area thoroughly, as this area is often in contact with water, it will have a bit of alga and it should be scraped off thoroughly. If the area has been leaking for a while then it is highly possible for debris to have caught in the gaps too and should be cleaned. After it is clean and dry, the gutter sealant or glue can be applied and the parts held together to ensure a tight fit.
