What should you do if a gutter is dripping?

A dripping gutter can be repaired with liquid-applied waterproofing. First, locate the damaged area precisely. Dripping may be caused by cracks, corrosion perforations or leaking joints; on zinc gutters, corrosion often appears on the underside, while cracks in plastic gutters commonly occur at the joints.

The affected area must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before liquid waterproofing is applied. This liquid-applied waterproofing membrane is built up in several coats to form a seamless, crack-bridging rubber skin. It adheres to zinc, copper, plastic and sheet metal.

The coating remains elastic through substantial temperature changes between summer and winter, which is particularly important for gutters subject to thermal movement. At cracks and joints, a fabric reinforcement should also be worked into the waterproofing to provide lasting reinforcement in these areas subject to movement. Where damage is extensive or sections have rusted through, assess whether replacement of the affected gutter sections is more economical than repair.