Functioning guttering systems rely on regular maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition. The harder your gutters work, the more care you’ll need to provide. The U.S. is a hotbed of extreme weather, with more than 300 climate and weather-related disasters causing $1 billion or more in damages over the past few decades.
Your gutters move water and precipitation away from your home to protect the foundations. Leaks can cause thousands of dollars in damage, so it’s in your interest to keep your gutters in great shape with a high-quality gutter sealant.
Here’s what you need to know about the best sealant for gutters.
What is Gutter Sealant?
Gutter sealant is used during gutter installation and repair. The best sealer for gutters will typically be silicone-based to provide adhesion when joining gutter sections, end caps, and downpipe fitting.
Contractors will also use it to install roof vents, flashings, and skylights. You may hear gutter seam sealant referred to as sealer, plastic, gutter silicone, or even gutter caulk.
Sealant is effective because it can apply to various materials, including aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, and even brass. Some roofing tiles are also compatible with sealants, including concrete and clay.
Gutter seam sealers are designed to seal those holes that can lead to leaks and reduce the overall efficiency of your guttering. It comes in a range of colors, but the most popular is grey because it matches the color of your gutters and remains invisible at a distance.
How to Apply Gutter Sealant
Gutters will become more susceptible to damage the older they get and the type of weather they deal with. Snow, water, ice, and rodents are just some potential threats to your gutters. It underlines the importance of scheduling a regular roof inspection with a local contractor.
Minor damage can quickly morph into severe damage if left unchecked. Unfortunately, most homeowners only notice a problem when the damage has become severe.
If you’re looking to apply sealant for gutter seams at home, here’s how to do it.
Step One – Prep Work
The first step is to check the weather forecast. Even the best gutter sealant needs dry conditions to bond materials effectively.
Check to ensure there’s no rain forecast for at least the next 24 hours. Once you’re sure rain isn’t on the way, climb up to the roof and remove any leaves and debris from the gutters. Clean gutters promote good bonding.
Step Two – Analyze Safety
Have a friend or family member hold the ladder you’re working on. Take extra care with your movements because working at a high level is more complicated than it looks.
You will also need to wear gloves to protect your skin from the debris in your gutters and the sealant itself.
Safety concerns are one of the main reasons why it’s worth calling a professional to fix your gutters. After all, they have done it a thousand times before!
Step Three – Remove Old Caulking/Adhesive
After clearing out your gutters, the first step is to remove the remains of any old caulking or adhesive that could get in the way. Note that you don’t have to remove every last piece. Do your best to give yourself a clean surface to work with.
Step Four – Apply Gutter Sealant
Take your gutter glue and cut the tip off the bottle. Load the sealant into a caulking gun.
Apply the sealant at the seams while holding the seams together for added adhesion. Check to see if the guttering has stuck together. If not, you may need to add additional sealant.
Expect to wait at least 24 hours in dry conditions for your sealant to cure correctly.
Step Five – Final Inspection
The following day, grab your ladder and climb back up to the gutter to clean any excess sealant from the surrounding areas. You should have also cleaned your tools thoroughly when completing the job the previous day.
Ensure your sealant is correctly stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the Best Sealant for Gutters?
The best gutter sealer is the one that gets the job done. But what should you look for in a gutter sealant?
The professionals weigh up their sealant of choice based on several factors. The most common questions a roofing or guttering contractor will ask include the following:
Does the product work underwater?
Can the sealant dry even in wet conditions?
How dense is the product?
How long does the sealant take to dry?
How much does the sealant cost?
Can you remove the sealant easily after it’s dry?
Remember, sealants are only a temporary fix. Even the best gutter seal will only provide so much protection. Seamless guttering eliminates the problem because your gutters become one long continuous piece of material with no seams.
If you want to avoid the issue of applying sealant entirely, seamless guttering is a worthwhile investment for a more efficient guttering system.
Explore the Advantages of Seamless Gutters with Gutt-R-Done
Seamless guttering systems overcome the problems of traditional gutters. Every seamless gutter custom fits your home, guaranteeing less leakage, minimal maintenance, and appealing aesthetics.
At Gutt-R-Done, we have installed thousands of seamless gutters in Lafayette, LA, and beyond. Get the gutters that work to create a better home in the long run. Talk to one of our professionals to learn more about the advantages of seamless gutters.
To find out more about your options, or to schedule your initial consultation, contact Gutt-R-Done now!