Eavestrough Issues: Repairing Leaks, Holes And Rust
While steel and aluminum eavestroughs have a lifetime of up to 30 years, if neglected, they fast deteriorate. So the number of years your eavestroughs will last depends on how well you care for and maintain them. Eavestroughs maintenance does require climbing up to the roofline of your building using a ladder. For homeowners that aren’t afraid of height, eavestroughs cleaning is not a particularly challenging undertaking.
Thoroughly cleaning out dirt, debris, etc, and making certain rain water flows through your eavestroughs need only be done twice a year. If during your evaluation you encounter maintenance problems such as leaky joints, holes and rust, then here are several tips that might help you resolve them yourself.
Rust
Most eavestroughs are made of galvanized steel. Though a strong and lasting material, it is susceptible to rusting. If you happen to find minor rust damages, simply scrub it way with an appropriate wire brush. Once the spot is clean and completely dry, cost it with a metal primer, but that is designed to prevent or inhibit rust.
Leaks
During the summer, it is quite difficult to detect compromised seams. However, during the rainy season, it is quite easy to spot leaks. If you would rather not wait until it rains to see whether your eavestroughs are leaky, simply pour a bucketful of water into the system. If you find debris trapped beneath a seam, this is a clear proof that a leak is developing or present.
Repairing badly leaking eavestroughs is a bit complex, meaning that you need to have the tools and skills to do a perfect job. For minor leaks, simply apply the right sealant and your job is done. But how do you go about it? Well, start by detaching the problematic section of your eavestroughs to have full access to the leaky seam. Depending on how your eavestroughs are fastened, this might require removing rivets or screws, so make sure to have the right tools to make your work easier. Once you have taken apart the leaky eavestroughs, clean off any remaining old sealant with a sandpaper or utility knife. Having done so, apply a fresh coat of sealant and reattach your eavestroughs to the fascia.
Holes
Rust corrosion sometimes eats all the way through galvanized steel eavestroughs. Aluminum eavestroughs can develop holes too, though that result from puncturing than rusting. The same procedure can be used for repairing holes in both aluminum and steel eavestroughs. Start by cleaning the affected area and then dry it. Once dry, spread roofing cement around the edges of the holes and then apply a patch of appropriate sized metal flashing. Once you flashing is in place, simply cover it completely with another coat of roofing cement.
Regardless of your issues, make sure to fully clean and dry the problematic areas before applying a sealant or roofing cement. Failure to do so simply mean the area you are trying to mend won’t repair as expected. However, if your eavestroughs have more issues than you could handle on your own, or being perched on a ladder gives you vertigo, simply contact a local eavestrough installer to help you out. As your eavestroughs continue to age, you will be glad you took time to give them the maintenance they require.
All in all, eavestroughs like every other water draining systems in your building overtime gather mold, grime, leaves, dead branches, dirt and other debris. All these lead to all sort of issues, including rusting, leaking, and many more. Regularly inspect your eavestrough to check for these problems and then fix them as soon as you notice them. If you don’t, these issues tend to worsen and costly to repair. You don’t want this to happen to your eavestroughs, do you?