Can a leaky gutter be repaired?

Which gutter leaks can be repaired?

Most gutter leaks can be repaired, including:

• Leaking joints: the union or joint seal is replaced or the joint resealed.
• Leaking outlets: the outlet is cleared, refitted and sealed.
• Leaking corners: the corner piece is replaced, as corners take a lot of water flow and movement.
• Small cracks: the damaged length is cut out and a new section joined in.
• Overflow that looks like a leak: the gutter is cleaned or its fall corrected so water runs to the outlet.

Can uPVC gutters be repaired?

uPVC gutters can be repaired easily, because the joints, corners and outlets are standard parts that clip in. The usual cause of leaks is the rubber seal inside a joint hardening and shrinking with age and sunlight. Many homes on Paignton's later estates, such as Roselands, Foxhole and Hookhills, have uPVC gutters where a joint swap fixes the leak.

Can cast iron gutters be repaired?

Cast iron gutters can be repaired too. Contractors clean rust and old sealant out of the joint, apply new sealant and repaint it. Cracked sections can be replaced with matching profiles. Older houses around Old Paignton, Polsham and Roundham often still have cast iron gutters, and repairing them keeps the original character of the house.

If your home is listed, check with Torbay Council before changing the material of the gutters.

When is a leaky gutter past repair?

A leaky gutter is past repair when leaks keep returning at joint after joint, the plastic has gone brittle and cracks when touched, or the metal has rusted through along its length. In those cases, a contractor will usually recommend gutter replacement, as repeated repairs add up.

Salt in the sea air around Paignton speeds up rust on metal gutters and fixings, so coastal homes may reach this point sooner.

Why shouldn't you leave a leak?

You shouldn't leave a leak because water lands on the same patch of wall every time it rains. That can stain the brickwork, wear away mortar, rot the fascia board and bring damp inside. A leak that's a simple joint repair now can become a fascia replacement later.

What should you do next?

Get the leak checked by a contractor, who can tell you whether it's a joint, an outlet, a crack or a blockage. Read how to stop a dripping gutter and why a gutter drips out of one corner.

Answer the questions on this page to get quotes from up to four local contractors.