How to Use Sealants to Weatherproof and Repair Your Gutter Seams

Are rain and snow causing problems for your home? Then it’s time to clean and repair your gutters! Follow our guide to find the best weatherproofing and gutter sealants for your home.

Gutters, or eavestroughs, are essential to keeping your home clean and dry. Snow, rain, and seasonal changes can wreak havoc on the state of your gutters. Keeping them maintained is essential to avoiding costly roof gutter and structural repairs.

If you’re wondering how to fix your leaking gutters, look no further. Applying gutter sealant is much easier than you might think! The only tools required are a ladder, a good pair of gloves, and of course the perfect gutter repair glue.

To find the best sealant for the job, check for the following criteria:

• Make sure the sealant is waterproof.
• Find out if the product can dry on wet surfaces and in a damp environment.. 
• Check out how fast the product dries—the faster, the better!
• Can you remove the sealant once it has dried in case of a redo or for future repairs?

Gutter seams tend to be the most common components in need of repair, mostly due to seasonal influences. Generally, gutter systems are made from aluminum, a thin metal that rusts easily when water becomes trapped and stagnant within the trough. This happens when leaves and debris are blocking the gutter system.

In order to properly fix, seal, or otherwise repair your gutters, you must first locate the issue and determine whether it can be fixed or must be replaced. If it can be fixed, then the rest is easy!
First, you need to clean the area of debris, such as leaves and dirt, and dry up any moisture in the area. There are some products, like LePage QUAD Max Window, Door and Siding Sealant, which work perfectly even in wet conditions.

After you’ve cleaned the area, place the sealant along any seams or holes before placing another part of the gutter, or a new piece, on top of this area. Once you’ve placed the new or existing piece on top, add more sealant along the outside seams to lock out moisture and dirt. Sometimes you will have to fasten your pieces together, but often enough a great sealant will do the job.

Now, you are protected against leaks, flooding, and all of those pesky seasonal influences!

Winter is your gutters’ worst enemy. Ice and snow can put too much pressure on your eavestroughs, leading to cracked and leaking gutter joints that need repairing. Ice can also lead to downspout blockage, causing obstruction, damage, and increased moisture exposure to your home. If left unfixed, it can even cause them to come off completely.

Roof gutter maintenance is essential for keeping your home safe and your energy bills down. That’s why it’s important to know how to repair leaking gutter seams and corners.

To ensure the overall strength and functionality of your roof gutter seams throughout the seasons, remove the debris from the troughs, pat dry, and add LePage QUAD Sealant for Doors and Windows along the seams.

Don’t get stuck out in the cold! Learn how to seal your gutter seams before the first snowfall!

Gutters are easy to assemble and require a similar process in repairing each section. Although they are different areas of the eavestrough, when it comes to sealing gutter joints and end caps, they both require a combination of sealant and fastening. For both areas, it’s best to determine the issue (i.e., is there a hole, a crack, etc.?), purchase a new piece if necessary, clean and dry the area, and proceed with the adhering process.

1. Place your ladder below the broken or leaking end cap. Make sure your ladder is steady before proceeding. 
2. Check the problem area for damage. Determine if your gutter can be repaired or if you need to buy a new piece to replace the current one. 
3. Clean the gutter of debris and old caulk. For removing caulk remnants, use a putty knife followed by a clean towel. 
4. Hammer the end cap into place and apply sealant. You want to ensure the end cap is firmly in place before adding sealant. Then, apply a good amount of waterproof sealant, such as LePage PL Heavy Duty Sealant, along the inside lines of the gutter where it meets with the cap. 

This section of your gutter system, especially where it meets with the ground, is one of the most susceptible areas to damage. This is due to internal water pressure, either from too much water or a build-up. This tends to cause cracks in the sealant joints, requiring downspout repair work by the homeowner.

Gutter downspout repair can be done by following a few simple steps.

1. Clean the area of old caulking, debris, and moisture. 
2. Determine the issue is something that can be fixed, then apply LePage PL Heavy Duty Sealant to seal the area. 
3. To add more resistance against future leaks, you can add more sealant around the original installation of the downspout along to the gutter. 

If the proper steps for application were followed, it will typically take up to 36 hours for your sealant to dry. With LePage PL Heavy Duty Sealant, you can expect a drying time of only 24 hours. This product will adhere to wet and dry surfaces and is UV-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about timed lawn sprinkler systems or hot weather.

Although maintaining your home takes time, it’s important for the long-term state of your home and your bank account. Gutters and eavestroughs should last 25 to 35 years from initial construction, but extreme weather conditions cause damage faster than with other parts of your home.

Knowing how to seal your gutters and how to repair gutter seam leaks will add another 5 to 15 years and prevent flooding or erosion of your foundation.