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Hard, But Meaningful Work

Over the years, as we have observed contractors working on our home, one thing has become clear: this is not easy work. Whether the contractor is replacing pipes, framing a new room, or installing flooring, they are always working really hard to get the job done. We admire this. Many other professionals could benefit from observing this work ethic. As soon as we realized how hard contractors work, we had to share that fact on the internet. In fact, there are lots of other facts about contractors that we feel are worthy of sharing, which is why we continue to post on this blog.

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How to Take Care of 3 Common Gutter Repair Issues

28 May 2020
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

Your gutters may seem like they have a simple job, directing water off the roof of your home into the downspout. However, this simple job is vitally important for the overall safety of your home. Your gutters prevent the siding and foundation of your home from experiencing water damage, which is why any issues with your gutters should be taken care of right away.

Issue #1: Sagging Gutter

You want your gutters to tightly hug up against your roof; you don't want your gutters to sag. Sagging gutters can lead to the build-up of water and debris around the edge of your roof, resulting in water damage to your roof and the soffit. Sagging gutters can also misdirect water over the siding on your home, and cause water to pile up around the foundation of your home.

To fix a sagging gutter, you can install a metal gutter hanger. Remove the previously damaged gutter hanger, as well as the spikes that held it in place, from your gutter. Then, place the hanger in a new spot. Use your drill to screw the hanger into the edge of the roof, securing your gutter tight against the roof.

Issue #2: Leaky End Cap

The end cap on your gutters is designed to prevent water from flowing over the edge of your gutters where you don't have a downspout in place. Over time, it is not uncommon for the end cap to start leaking.

In order to prevent leaking around the end cap, clean the area around the endcap. Then, take some exterior silicone sealer and apply the sealer around the edges of the endcap to prevent leaks. Use a caulking tool to spread the sealer or use gloved hands; don't use your bare hands, as the caulk may stick to your hands and be hard to wash off.

If the end cap is damaged, you may be better off replacing the end cap with a new one and using the process above to seal the new endcap in place.

Issue #3: Loose Downspout

A downspout usually becomes lose when the existing strap that wraps around the downspout and holds it against your home breaks down, or the screws wiggle loose. If the scrap is just a little loose, use a drill or a screwdriver to tighten the screws in the strap to secure the downspout.

If the holes are stripped, or the strap is broken, get a new strap. Drill pilot holes and then secure the new strap in place, using screws that are about an inch long.

If you need help repairing your gutters, contact companies like Mr.Gutter, LLC. Gutter repair companies can fix issues with your gutters and clean them out, ensuring your gutters function properly.