Tired of Gutters That Leak Every Time?
Leaky gutters are a constant headache for Massachusetts homeowners because of the exceptional weather demands. It causes frustration, dirt, and a constant risk to your property’s value.
That’s when FRS comes in. We understand how valuable your home is and how gutters protect your home. That’s why you need a stronger gutter that doesn’t leak after every rain.
At FRS, we’ve been serving the local Medford, Massachusetts area and beyond for 25 years. Let us help you understand why your gutter leaks and how you can correct it.
In this article, we’ll understand:
- How do gutters protect your home?
- Causes of leaky gutters
- How to Repair Gutters in MA: step-by-step guide
- Tools needed to repair gutters
- Which gutter type is more preferable in preventing leaks, especially according to the MA weather?
- How to prevent future guttering repairs
- Signs that you need gutter repair or replacement
- Why Choose FRS Roofing+ Gutters for Gutter Services
How Do Gutters Protect Your Home?
Actually, the main function of the gutter is to redirect the water away from your home. As a result, it protects your home from:
- Flooded basement
- Damaged paint
- Mold growth
- Destroyed landscape
But the sad part is that if your gutters have only one or more leaks, gutters won’t be able to do their job perfectly. And the fact is, even the smallest leak can result in “Water Damage”.
That’s why it’s very important that you keep an eye on the performance of your gutter, after all, it’s protecting your home and deserves your bit of attention, if not weekly, at least once a month, and especially when there is a prediction of rain and storms!
And in case you came to know that your gutters leak, here’s how to repair gutters without getting overwhelmed.
Causes of Leaky Gutters:
The first step of solving any problem is to identify its cause. Similarly, to repair your gutter, assess the situation thoroughly and see what’s causing it to leak.
Here are some common causes of gutter leaks, especially based on the weather of Massachusetts:
Cracks:
When the weather condition reaches extreme cold in MA, your naive gutter experiences a lot of wear and tear. Whether continuous water falls on it, a huge tree, or even the frequent paint fall, can cause it to rust. As a result, your gutter can develop cracks and holes.
Clogs:
Generally, one of the most common causes of gutter leaks is clogs. Actually, what happens is when your gutter collects a lot of useless things, such as leaves, branches, animal waste, and other debris; all these things pile up to form a wet mass, known as a clog, that blocks water. If water doesn’t flow down and out of your gutter properly, it causes an overflow that usually has the same results as a leak.
Loose Fasteners:
The gutters are attached to your home’s fascia boards with the help of fasteners. When these fasteners loosen because of a nail, screw, or anything else, it leads to small leaks around the fastener. Ultimately, this results in water pouring out onto the fascia of your home.
Separated Joints:
This point is specific to sectional gutter leaks. In sectional gutters, the joints and seams that connect each other separate and wear down with time. And this results in a gutter leak! The good thing is you can spot this problem very easily, even if there’s no water dripping.
Improper Gutter Slope:
Gutter slope is another important factor that can play a key role in gutter leaks. If your gutter isn’t installed with a slight slope, it can cause trouble while directing water to the downspouts. Also, you might experience overflow because of water pooling in the gutter, especially during rainy seasons. Ultimately, standing water causes risk and corrosion, further damaging the fascia board.
If you notice any of these leaky gutter signs or immediately need to repair gutters, contact FRS now for a free consultation across MA!
How to Repair Gutters in MA, Step-by-Step Guide:
Inspect The Cause
As stated above, the first thing is to inspect your gutter system properly to exactly understand the location and cause of the leak. Look for the leaks, especially near joints, corners, or seams. Once you find their exact location, remove the debris and start your repair process smoothly.
Clean The Gutter System
You can use a trowel or scoop to remove leaves from your gutter. Similarly, you can use a garden hose to clear out debris. Once done with the cleaning, please make sure that your gutter is completely dry to avoid moisture in further repair processes.
Correct Your Gutter Slope
As we discussed above, the primary purpose of a gutter is to redirect water, and the gutter slope plays an important role in this regard. So for water to drain completely, make sure that your gutter has a slight tilt toward the downspout.
You can use a level to check the pitch of your gutter.
What if you see that your gutter is flat or sloping the wrong way? Don’t worry, at that point, adjust it by loosening the hangers first and then tightening them in the correct position.
Create a Gap Between Drip Edge and Fascia
It’s very important that there is a proper gap between the drop edge and the fascia, so your gutter can perform its function correctly. In case you notice that the gap isn’t sufficient, follow the following steps:
- Adjust pressure-treated wood strips to the appropriate length to create a gap
- You need to create a ⅜ inch gap, so carefully slide the strips behind the drip edge
- Make sure that the strips are properly secured in place along the whole length of the gutter
This proper gap between the drip edge and the fascia allows water to go directly into the gutter rather than being directed toward the fascia board.
Apply Silicone Caulk
After you have done the above-mentioned steps and corrected your gutter position, you need to follow the following steps to restrict water from seeping behind the gutter:
- Load your caulk gun with a silicone caulk tube
- Now apply a smooth caulk bead along the joint between the top edge of the gutter and the fascia board
- You can use your finger to smooth the caulk
- Ensure that the gap is completely filled
- Wait for the caulk to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Once it dries, test your gutter repair by running water with a garden hose!
At any point, if you feel like you need professional help, don’t hesitate to contact FRS for professional gutter services across Medford, MA.
Tools Needed to Repair Gutters:
Though it’s always best to get professional help to repair gutters if you find minor leaks and are planning to try a DIY project, you need the following gutter repair tools:
- Caulk gun
- Silicone Caulk
- Gloves
- Pressure-treated wood strips
- Ladder
- Safety glasses
- Table saw
You can also see our homeowner tools for shingle color and roof protection.
Which Gutter Type is More Preferable in Preventing Leaks, Especially According to MA Weather?
When it comes to preventing gutter leaks, one of the factors that’s of prime importance is gutter type.
“The first step to prevent gutter leaks is to choose a gutter system that’s virtually leak-proof!”
Let me explain the difference between sectional and seamless gutters, especially considering the MA’s weather conditions, so you select the gutter type accordingly.
Sectional Gutters:
Sectional gutters are attached and assembled in multiple separate pieces to form one gutter system. As a result, if only one section of the gutter is damaged, you can easily fix that portion only. That’s probably why it’s known as a sectional gutter!
A few Important Factors About Sectional Gutters:
- Sectional gutters need more maintenance and inspection.
- The spaces in between these gutters can be enlarged easily; as a result, it gets more leaks and damage.
So, though it’s an affordable option, but not much recommended for busy homeowners, especially in Massachusetts, who avoid frequent inspection and maintenance, and are especially looking for a durable, protected gutter solution.
Seamless Gutters:
These gutters are made from one solid piece. You get seamless gutters delivered on a roll to your home, then you can shape them according to your contractor’s instructions when installing.
As compared to sectional gutters, they don’t have the headache of assembling or attaching. Also, because they’re just one piece, there are no empty spaces that can expand to form leaks. Ultimately, you don’t need frequent inspection and maintenance, and your home stays protected for the long term.
A Few Important Factors About Sectional Gutters:
- Seamless gutters are more durable and attractive than sectional gutters, as experienced by the local homeowners of MA.
- They stay strong for years because they are installed specially according to your home and contractors’ demand,
So, to avoid frequent gutter leaks and ultimate headaches to repair gutters, the wiser option is to invest smartly and choose sectional gutters. You might have to invest more for one time, but in the long run it’ll benefit you!
If you need a professional opinion to understand which gutter type is best for your home, feel free to contact FRS now.
How to Prevent Future Guttering Repair?
Keeping your gutters in good shape isn’t as hard as it seems. A little routine care goes a long way in avoiding leaks and costly repairs. Here’s how you can stay ahead:
1. Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Remove leaves, twigs, and debris at least twice a year, especially after fall and spring. This prevents clogs that cause water overflow and damage.
2. Inspect After Heavy Storms
Check your gutters after strong winds or heavy rainfall. Early detection of cracks, loose hangers, or sagging parts saves you from bigger issues later.
3. Maintain Proper Slope
A gutter that tilts too much or too little won’t drain correctly. Make sure it slopes slightly toward the downspouts for smooth water flow.
4. Trim Nearby Trees
Overhanging branches drop leaves and sticks directly into gutters. Regularly trimming trees around your roof keeps gutters cleaner for longer.
5. Schedule Professional Checkups
Even with DIY maintenance, a yearly professional inspection helps catch hidden wear and tear. Think of it as a health checkup for your home!
Signs You Need Gutter Repair or Replacement:
Sometimes gutters just need a quick fix, but other times a replacement is smarter option. Watch for these signs to see what’s best for you: “gutters repair or replace”:
- Frequent Leaks: If leaks reappear even after patching, your gutters may be beyond repair.
- Sagging Sections: Gutters pulling away from the roofline often indicate structural weakness.
- Peeling Paint or Rust: Visible damage around gutters shows water isn’t being directed properly.
- Pooling Water Near Foundation: When gutters fail to carry water away, your home’s foundation is at risk.
- Excessive Maintenance: If you’re constantly cleaning, patching, and adjusting, replacement may be a more cost-effective long-term solution.
Why Choose FRS Roofing+ Gutters for Repair Gutter Services
FRS Roofing + Gutters has been serving the Medford, Massachusetts area and beyond for 25+ years. We believe in integrity, value, and ensuring customer satisfaction at each step.
Here’s what differentiates FRS Roofing+ Gutters from other Contractors:
- We have deep roots in Medford with 25+ years of local knowledge
- We have a well-professional and trained staff
- We do complete and thorough inspections before each service and share a step-by-step process with homeowners for their satisfaction
- We have transparent, affordable upfront prices with no hidden charges
- Locals across MA trust FRS roofing+Gutters for roofing and gutters services
Don’t delay your gutter inspection. Get a free quote now.