{"id":7133,"date":"2016-07-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guttering.anytrades.co.uk\/?p=43"},"modified":"2016-07-15T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-07-15T08:00:00","slug":"ask-experts-fix-leaky-gutters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.local-quotes.co.uk\/guides\/tips\/ask-experts-fix-leaky-gutters\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask the Experts: How to Fix Leaky Gutters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaky gutters can be a nightmare. They can leave you with damp patches on your walls which can lead to cracks and damp and mould inside your home.<\/p>\n

You might have tried to seal leaking gutter joints or corners, only to find that days later they start leaking again. It’s not as easy as it seems to fix a leaky gutter. So some real guttering contractors offer their tips to help you avoid and fix leaky gutters.<\/p>\n

Choose the right kind of repair product<\/h3>\n

Be wary of products that claim to be a one-time spray sealant. They probably won’t live up to their promises. A mastic-based sealant might be suitable for a short-term fix that is mainly cosmetic. <\/p>\n

Choose a sealant based on the type of gutters you have<\/h3>\n

Most of us have plastic gutters these days as they’re easy to maintain. But there is one disadvantage of plastic guttering, and that is its sensitivity to temperature.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

When plastic gets cold, it will contract, and expand when it’s hot. That means that you need to use a sealant that won’t go hard straight away, so it can move with the guttering. If you do use a sealant that goes hard, next time your gutters get warm the seal will crack again. <\/p>\n

Mastic doesn’t provide enough elasticity, so don’t use it on plastic.<\/p>\n

Guttering specialists suggest that you use silicone to seal up holes, as it is very flexible and will move with the conditions of your guttering.<\/p>\n

Clean the area you’re going to fix before you start<\/h3>\n

The best thing to do is remove the part of the gutter you need to fix, as long as it’s a union or joint. Then clean it thoroughly with water and let it dry. Then when you apply the sealant it will adhere properly.<\/p>\n

Don’t be afraid of using a lot of sealant<\/h3>\n

If you’re using silicone on your plastic gutters, be generous with it. Guttering experts claim that you can’t use too much – use as much as you need plus a bit more.<\/p>\n

Use washing up liquid to help<\/h3>\n

Yes, really!<\/strong> Silicone is sticky, so it can be difficult to smooth the area you’ve sealed to make sure you’ve applied enough. Just make up a solution of warm water and washing up liquid then dip your finger in it. Wipe it over the area you need to smooth out, then dip your finger back in the mixture to remove the silicone left on it.<\/p>\n

Does this all sound a bit too difficult? If you don’t fancy doing a bit of DIY, just fill in our form below and we’ll find you up to 4 guttering companies who can give you a free quote to repair your leaky gutters.<\/p>\n