Should I Use a Gutter Sealer or Replace My Gutters?

Every person has stood at the crossroads of whether they should repair something or replace it. And when it comes to your gutters, you may be wondering if you should use a gutter sealer or just replace the system.

Fortunately, the experts at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning are here to help and provide guidance. We've created a helpful guide to address some of the most common concerns surrounding whether you should use a gutter sealer, more extensive gutter repairs, or replace your gutters entirely. Continue reading to learn more.

Gutter Repair and Gutter Sealer Be an Option If…

If you're having problems with your gutters, all is not lost! There are several instances where your gutters may require a quick, inexpensive fix. Here are a few times when you can most likely get away with gutter repair:

A single seam or joint is leaking. If you have a single seam or joint leaking, it may be nothing more than ensuring two guttering sections or an elbow is securely fastened. However, in some cases the fix will require a gutter sealer, which we'll discuss in more detail below.
Got damage on one or two sections of your gutters? When damage is isolated to one or two sections, it can typically be remedied by replacing those sections. This scenario rarely warrants the replacement of the entire system.
Oh no! A few hangers are loose. Loose hangers can usually be remedied by simply screwing in or replacing just the damaged or failing hangers. For a more secure gutter system, additional hangers may be needed. If the hangers are bent, they may need to be replaced.
The gutters have a few cracks and holes. Usually, small openings can be cleaned and covered with a high-quality gutter sealer (not the TV stuff). Cracks and holes of the larger variety may need a piece of metal flashing that can be riveted on prior to using a gutter sealer. Of course, aesthetics can play a huge role here.

Your Gutters May Need to Be Replaced When…

It's vital to have regular gutter cleaning and maintenance. Have a hard time remembering to schedule your gutter maintenance? The best solution is to get a gutter cleaning service contract. In doing so, you can prevent or catch the following problems before they grow into legitimate reasons for gutter replacement. You more than likely will need to replace a section or entire gutter system when:

The hangers will not stay screwed in. After a few failed attempts at refastening gutter hangers, the culprit may be a problem with the fascia boards. The pros at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island offer carpentry services for the replacement of deteriorating or rotting fascia boards.
Several little repairs may not be economically worth it. If your gutters are riddled with rust spots, holes, and cracks, it will likely be more cost-efficient to replace the entire system.
The pitch is off or the gutters are sagging. Unfortunately, this usually can't be repaired quickly. It’s extremely difficult to rebend long runs of aluminum or copper. We've discovered that homeowners have greater peace of mind with a proper gutter installation where water flows away from the home properly.
Gutter sections are refusing to “stay together”. If your gutter sections are simply refusing to stay together (ie. at the corners), it's time to get a “divorce” 😉 and find a new gutter system. When you're deciding on new gutters, consider a seamless system because you'll never have this problem again.
Eek — water damage! If you see evidence of overflowing runoff water or constant leaking during the rain, and your gutters are clog-free, you most likely have a significant problem that repairs won't rectify.
A tree limb fell on my gutters. Now what? If a limb, carelessly leaned ladder, or another large object has damaged your gutters, your problems of overflows and leaks will not be remedied until the specific damaged section is replaced. And if your home has seamless gutters, you'll be best suited to replace the whole run.

What Is the Best Gutter Sealer for Quick Repairs?

When it comes to the best gutter sealer or sealant, you have no shortage of options. If you're looking to make minor repairs or sealing your gutters from leaks, butyl rubber, elastomeric, tripolymer sealants are usually an ideal choice.

These gutter sealers adhere quickly, apply well in hot and cold temperatures, and will stay flexible as it cures. These gutter sealers will flex with the gutter as temperature fluctuations cause it to expand and contract. At the same time, butyl rubber gutter sealers will create and maintain a watertight seal.

Now, About the TV Gutter Sealer?

We've all seen the TV infomercials for the best "gutter sealer." But do those gutter sealant products actually work? If you've ever rolled the dice and ordered a product advertised on TV, you understand when the experts at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island suggest you shouldn't waste your money.

In particular, the ever-popular gutter sealer advertised on TV contains silicone. And gutter sealers with silicone are prone to fail due to the key solvents evaporating. Once this happens, the silicone will be left on its own, which means it will shrink and pull away from the joint of the gutters.

Another reason why silicon-based gutter sealers aren't up to the task is that they lack adhesion strength. This means when the temperatures change from cold to hot, silicone-based gutter sealers will not have good resistance to the movement and therefore, often tear away from the original surface.

Got Gutter Problems? Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island

Whether it's a leaky gutter, damage to a section, or any other problem; the experts at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island can help. Our experienced professionals are trained to provide the highest quality of service, and we will always look to save you money via the lowest cost method. Because it's your decision, we'll explain to you all of your options, so you can make an informed decision.

Contact Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island today.

Erika Cruz

Erika began her career at Ned Stevens in September 2009 after 4 years of managing investment portfolios for banks and credit unions. She graduated with her business degree in Management in May of 2016 while working Full-time at Ned Stevens. With 11 years of gutter expertise, as office manager she is in charge of the day to day operation and is fully dedicated to her staff and customers.