5 Simple DIY Gutter Repair Tips You Can Handle

Let’s start with the most basic—and common—problem: clogged gutters. If you have trees near your home, you’ve probably seen how quickly those gutters fill up with leaves, twigs, and other debris. And when they’re clogged, water can’t flow properly, which can lead to bigger problems down the road.

The good news? Clearing your gutters is an easy fix. Here’s how:

• Set up your ladder safely (make sure it’s stable!).
• Throw on some gloves—things might get a little messy.
• Start by scooping out the dry debris with your hands or a small scoop.
• After that, grab your garden hose and rinse the gutters out with water to clear any leftover gunk.
• If you want to avoid doing this every few months, think about installing gutter covers. It’ll keep leaves and debris out, saving you a lot of hassle.

Have you noticed water not draining properly, even though your gutters are clear? Chances are, your gutter has become misaligned. While gutters are designed to have a slight tilt for drainage, if they’re out of whack, water will pool in the wrong places, causing potential damage.

The fix is actually pretty easy! Here’s how to do it:

• First, drive some long nails into the fascia board at regular intervals. This will support the section of gutter you’re working on.
• Now, remove the gutter’s support brackets.
• Stretch a piece of string from one end of the fascia to the other, letting it fall slightly toward the downspout. For proper drainage, you’ll want a half-inch drop for every ten feet of gutter.
• Once the string is in place, reinstall the brackets, making sure they match the angle of the string. Voilà! Your gutter should be back to its proper alignment.

Metal gutters are prone to rust, especially if they’ve been exposed to the elements for a while. Rust can cause leaks and further damage, so it’s best to deal with it as soon as you spot it.

Here’s how to clean up the rust:

• First, put on some safety goggles—better safe than sorry!
• Use sandpaper to scrub away the rust on smaller patches, or go for a wire brush if the rust is more widespread.
• Once the rust is gone, apply a rust-resistant primer to prevent it from coming back.
• Check for any cracks in the metal, and fill them with a sealant to keep water out.
• Finish off with a coat of bitumen or gloss paint. After it dries, add a second coat for extra protection.

If you’ve got PVC or UPVC gutters, leaks tend to happen at the joints where two sections meet. These leaks are usually caused by worn-out rubber gaskets. Don’t stress, though—it’s an easy fix!

Here’s how to seal those leaks:

• Start by separating the gutter sections where the leak is.
• Clean out any debris around the gasket, and check if it’s damaged.
• If the gasket looks worn, simply replace it with a new one, pressing it in tightly.
• Once the new gasket is in place, reconnect the gutter sections, and the leak should be gone.of hassle.

If your downspout is hanging loose, it’s probably due to a bracket that’s come undone. No worries—it’s a quick fix!

Here’s what you need to do:

• Check if the bracket is loose. If it is, you can move it slightly higher or lower and drill new pilot holes to secure it.
• If the bracket looks fine but the wall plug has come loose, replace the plug and tighten the screws.
• No wall plugs? No problem—just use some 1/4″ or 6.5mm galvanized screws to hold the downspout in place.