Spring is the season many homeowners think about their gutters, because it is also the season it rains a lot, and all of your gutters’ inadequacies become more apparent.

If you see water dripping out of any part of your gutters, you’ve got a problem. Your gutters should be able to hold and carry all rainwater shed by your roof, routing it through the downspouts and away from your home. Any water that escapes this path is a threat to your home.

Gutters that are seriously damaged likely need to be replaced, but some gutters just need repair. You don’t want to pay to replace anything that still has some useful life left in it — but how do you know the difference?

You may not, but a reputable contractor should.

What types of gutter problems can be easily repaired?

  1. Holes — Gutters develop holes for a number of reasons, but a big one is rust. Steel gutters, though strong, can rust, whereas aluminum gutters usually won’t. Aluminum is less sturdy though, so falling branches or other debris can puncture holes in it.

    Holes can be successfully patched, saving you the expense of buying a new section of gutter. The hole has to be small enough, though, and the rest of the gutter should be in good shape as well, or else it isn’t worth it.

    Roofing cement can be used to repair the holes, and if the holes are large enough, patches should be used as well. It’s critically important to match the material correctly when patching — if you mix metals, corrosion can quickly set in.

  2. Leaky joints — Gutter joints are famous for deteriorating and eventually springing leaks. Sealed with rubber gaskets or silicone, these joints can’t last forever. Even so-called seamless gutters can develop cracks.

    Fortunately, these too are an easy fix, done with silicone caulk. The parts have to be clean and dry though, or it won’t hold. Some will need the support of a slip joint connector as well, or the gutter may simply split again in the next hard rain.

  3. Sagging — A sagging gutter can come crashing down at any time, so this is a repair you don’t want to put off. Sagging is usually caused by a combination of too much weight and missing gutter spikes.


As long as the gutter is still intact, sagging can be repaired with the strategic placement of a few gutter screws.

If you notice water leaking from your gutters or pooling near your home, it’s a good idea to get your gutters looked at. Renovation by Burbach installs and repairs all types of gutters, helping to ensure your house stays dry like it should.

For fast and effective gutter repair, call the experts at Renovation by Burbach.