Leaky Gutter Repair help

[camaron32]

I am having a problem with a leaky gutter. The gutter is vinyl and the leak is happening where two sections are butted against each other. The two pieces are held in place by a vinyl gutter bracket that has a silicone type seal that runs along the inside, and the vinyl gutter sits on top of it. I apologize for no pictures, but it is currently raining out so I know my past repairs have not worked. I've tried cleaning out the debris that had collected between the two pieces and then replace it back onto the silicone seal. I've tried some bathroom caulk that was supposed to bond to vinyl but still remain flexible. So far nothing has worked. I'm motivated to finally get this fixed because this leak last winter was the reason why the ice was on my driveway that I stepped on and was out of work for three days. . I know this is probably a simple repair, but for some reason it has eluded me. Thank you for your help.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Replace with a seamless aluminum gutter .032" thick and upgrade the downpouts to 3"x4". In Chicago area will cost around $5-6 per foot installed for back of the truck guys, closer to $9-$10 per foot for large professional company, and around $20 per foot for the fast talking nationally advertised slick marketing companies. Double all those prices if you want leaf protection.

 

[BillK]

32,
Have you replaced the actual sealing strips ? I had those gutters on my house for a long time and never had much of a problem with them. I did have to replace the seals a couple of times. Are the gutters snapping into the bracket good and tight ? You said they just sit on the bracket but mine actually had to be snapped into place to hold them tight against the seals.

New seals are available at Home Depot etc. I think there are only two basic types of those gutters so there really should not be a problem finding the parts.

 

[motorcycle79]

Another seamless vote here

 

[Old Steamer]

Seamless.

My house was built 21 years ago and seamless aluminum gutters were used. Nothing leaks.

 

[wrenchin883]

not sure if I understand you problem but I have used automotive rubberized undercoating that comes in spray cans on the inside of my gutters for some small leaks I had , after 2 - 3 coats it fixed all my leaks , of course only spraying where the leaks are and not the entire gutter , other options might be automotive seam sealer

 

[eharri3]

Whatever you use, don't just spread it in the seam. For it to really hold up you have to be generous with caulks and sealants, going all the way from one edge of the seam to another and spreading it a few inches away from the seam on either side. People are often afraid to do this because they think if you build up too much caulk or sealant you will impede water flow. As long as you spread it out well you'll be OK. If you are just rubbing it directly onto the line where the two gutters meet water will still work its way under there. I would suggest roofing cement or flashing cement as that is often used as a more permanent repair on aluminum gutters but you'd have to do the research to see if the stuff will stick to vinyl. Also inspect the area carefully. If the leak is due to the two sections shifting around and old caulk wearing out it should be an easy fix. IF the leak is due to material actually wearing away at the seam you may need to replace one or both sections as this could always be a problem.

I have leaking seams on my aluminum sectional gutters and I am going seamless. All the reputable installers want to bundle at least 200 bucks worth of services together to make it worth it to drive a truck to your house and go up on a ladder to do anything. But a 30 foot seamless section of 5 inch aluminum painted to match the trim installed with hidden hangers was only 300 dollars. The salesman told me alot of people shy away from just going seamless because they are not aware that it's alot less expensive than commonly thought.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

For a cheap fix that works, don't use silicone or caulking. Go to a vinyl siding / gutter supplier, and buy a tube of gutter "seam sealer" for 3 or 4 bucks. Cover the seam completely with it. It is made for this application, and it does work. But of course, a better fix would be to replace the cheapo vinyl guttering with real aluminum seamless gutters.

 

[SteveCh]

I tried the asphalt-based paint auto undercoating on my gutters this past spring, after reading many good reports on doing so. Worked great. For about two months. Now, most of my seams and junctions are leaking again, if a bit less than before. I took a look at some seams closely and found that the paint along the actual seamed had cracked. So much for that.

 

[NUTTSGT]

For a quick fix, I'd probably just break out a tube of clear RTV and go at it.

For the long haul, I'd look at putting up seamless like other members have suggested.

 

[eharri3]

I tried the asphalt-based paint auto undercoating on my gutters this past spring, after reading many good reports on doing so. Worked great. For about two months. Now, most of my seams and junctions are leaking again, if a bit less than before. I took a look at some seams closely and found that the paint along the actual seamed had cracked. So much for that.

Doesn't sound like a product that is geared towards use as a sealant and leak patch so the premature failure is understandable. You need specific characteristics for this sort of application: It has to be something water-resistant that will adhere to a variety of surfaces and stay flexible to account for joint movement. I repaired a corner with Amerimax gutter sealant from Home Depot with it still attached, without even taking it apart and scraping all the old stuff off. Just went up the ladder, cleaned the area, and spread it over the seam from the inside. It has held up fine over the last several heavy rains.

 

[Ron Fletcher]

I go to the Home Depot type place and get some putty type stuff called Wet and Dry. It is black tar that you put on the inside with a putty knife. It is called Wet And Dry because you can put it on any surface whether it is wet or dry. Just clean the section off good and spread it on. It has always worked great for me on my gutters.