Clean & Inspect Gutters

Gutters are often over looked until they start to over-flow

Gutters on the house should firmly attached to the fascia board; be cleaned of all debris and not leaking. If dripping is apparent when it rains, thoroughly clean the joint after it stops raining. If the area is not cleaned properly, the caulking will not properly adhere and the leak will return.

Apply appropriate caulk designed for exterior use and that will adhere to metal. Silicone caulk is preferred, but you can also use butyl. They also have a more cure urethane caulk. This should be done when no rain is expected in the next 24 hours.

Try to be as neat as possible and caulk on the inside first, applying pressure to force the caulk into the joint.

If the gutters have small holes, you'll need to patch them with some small strips of sheet metal large enough to thoroughly cover the hole. Clean the area thoroughly. Next apply some roofing cement over an area larger than the sheet metal. Roofing cement is difficult to remove, so wear some disposable gloves. Use a throw-away spatula or putty knife to apply the cement.

Next, lay the sheet metal patch over the cement and press down firmly. Then apply a 2nd layer of cement over the metal patch.

Gutter Cleaning

One of the easiest methods of cleaning gutters is to use a leaf blower to blast out accumulated leaves. If you're comfortable standing on the roof, that is the easiest method. Just be careful not to trip over an extension cord if your leaf blower is electric, or get too close to the edge.