Fix a leaky gutter: a handy how to

Gutters are essential for redirecting water away from your home. But when gutters leak, your home could take on water damage. Thankfully, patching your gutters as soon as you notice a problem can save you the stress and cost of future water damage. Here's a handy how to.

• Ladder, tall enough to reach your gutters
• Wire brush or sandpaper
• Clean rags and a solvent (such as acetone)
• Fibreglass or metal patch
• Scissors or tin snips
• Fibreglass resin or gutter sealant
• Paintbrush or putty knife
• Work gloves (if required)
• Pop rivets and rivet gun (for metal patches)

• Be diligent about cleaning away dirt or rust with a wire brush or sandpaper, then wipe the area with solvent and allow it to dry completely.

1. Cut your fibreglass patch to size

• When using a fibreglass patch, cut a piece that will cover the area that you're patching with an overlap of 5 centimetres (2 inches) on all sides.

2. Make the bed

• For a fibreglass patch, use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat of prepared fibreglass resin to the gutter.
• Wear gloves so the resin doesn't touch your hands.

3. Secure your fibreglass patch

• Press the patch into the resin with a rag.
• Apply a thin coat of resin over your patch,
• Then, after 24 hours, sand the patch and apply another coat of resin.

1. Cut your metal patch to size

• If you opt to use a metal patch, you'll need to allow an overlap of 10 centimetres (4 inches) between the hole and your patch.

2. Make the bed

• For a metal patch, use a putty knife to spread a 3 millimetre (1/8 inch) layer of sealant over the entire surface that you'll be patching.

3. Secure the metal patch

• Press the patch into the sealant with a rag.
• Then, rivet the patch at both ends, and spread a layer of sealant over the edges.
• Leave your patch to dry.

Follow this handy how to and you'll be able to keep your home from taking on water damage.