Can You Fix Rusty Gutters? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you think about it, it’s amazing that a piece of metal stretching across your roofline can do so much for your home. Gutters help keep your home dry and damage-free by catching rainwater from your roof and channeling it away. The lack of hairline cracks on your exterior and foundation should speak of the gutters’ effectiveness at preventing excess water exposure. And while most gutters are built for durability, they can still be damaged over time. In fact, under the right circumstances, rust may start developing on the system, hampering the way it drains runoff away from your home.

Once rust appears on your gutters, can they still be fixed, or is it already a lost cause? 

Yes, There’s a Fix to Rusty Gutters

The fact is that aluminum, a common gutter material that’s well known for being rust-proof, can still develop rust. Luckily, there’s a way to deal with gutter corrosion. But before that, you’ll need to understand what’s actually causing it in the first place. This way, you’ll know exactly how to stop rust from forming in your gutters again. The most common reasons for gutter corrosion are:

• Pollen buildup. So, it’s not just allergies you have to worry about during pollen season – you have to be wary of the grains accumulating inside your gutters as well. Certain types of tree pollen are incredibly acidic, which may prove damaging to the gutter material. When overlooked, pollen can actually wear the coating off the aluminum, making the gutters more prone to rusting. You can usually avoid pollen buildup on your gutters by keeping them clean and clog-free, especially during spring.

• Reaction with other metals. Have you heard of galvanic corrosion? It’s what happens when two different metals come into contact with each other through a conductor (usually water). The reaction leads to corrosion, which is why it’s important that your gutter system use only the same – or similar – kind of metal for their components. For example, if you have aluminum seamless gutters, their screws, hangers and downspouts should not be anything other than aluminum or stainless steel. The best way to prevent galvanic corrosion is to avoid using anything copper with your aluminum gutters.

• Fluctuating temperatures. Extreme changes in temperature can negatively affect your gutters the way they do your roofing. Fluctuating temperatures cause your gutters to wear down faster than they normally do. As their protective coating deteriorates, the metal in your gutters become more susceptible to rust. Gutter corrosion resulting from thermal changes is especially prevalent in mountainous or coastal regions. 

• Poor gutter maintenance. Like other home components that see constant weather exposure, your gutters require your care and attention. Any blockages should be dealt with immediately to prevent standing water and organic growth from breaking down the aluminum and encouraging corrosion. You can keep them sturdy and rust-free by scheduling regular gutter inspections and cleanups with a local gutter professional like Barry Best Seamless Gutters. 

Repairing Rusted Gutters

When rust has taken over sections of your gutters, you have the option to repair them. But keep in mind that this task will cost you a considerable amount of time and energy. Here are the steps:

1. Clean the rust off the aluminum surface of your gutters using sandpaper or a wire brush. Make sure every speck of rust is completely removed.
2. Once the sanding process is finished, the next step is painting the gutters with a water-resistant primer. Apply the coating on the gutters thoroughly and consistently.
3. Check the aluminum for any holes caused by rust. If rust already found its way inside the aluminum via these holes, that section of gutter is pretty much shot. This can be mitigated by caulking the holes, but this solution is only temporary. Eventually, the corrosion will outgrow the sealant and spread throughout the gutters. 
4. Any rusted gutter components can be removed and replaced with new ones, but, again, this is only a short-term fix.

There’s Actually a Much Better Solution

In cases where corrosion has spread to a point that gutter repairs are no longer viable, the best thing you can do is invest in new gutter installation. Barry Best Seamless Gutters can help you with this. We offer options that check all the boxes in what high-quality replacement gutters should be. They:

• Provide superior draining performance. Our exceptional seamless gutters are designed and crafted to precise measurements, ensuring they fit your home perfectly. Unlike conventional segmented gutters, they only have seams at the corners, reducing the potential for leaks and allowing for greater draining performance.

• Enhance your home’s look. Thanks to their neat and clean design, our seamless gutters can give your home a sleek, contemporary touch. They’re available in a wide array of colors, making them easier to match with your home’s style and exterior palette.

• Allow for easy maintenance. Our seamless gutters are built to withstand the harshest weather conditions. They’re not easily damaged since they’re made of a tough and long-lasting material, plus their design helps eliminate the possibility of leaks and blockages. You’ll find that unlike a segmented system, our seamless gutters are simpler to clean and maintain. Sure, their unique requirements make them more expensive than their counterpart, but seamless gutters pay for themselves over time by lowering your repair and maintenance costs.

Some Additional Protection Won’t Hurt

So, you’ve decided to replace your rusty gutters with new seamless ones from Barry Best Seamless Gutters. After the new system is installed, you should start thinking about its maintenance. You can make the most of your seamless gutters if they’re always in good shape, and having gutter protection installed can help with that. Gutter protection is available in several different options, but the one you should be going for is Gutter Helmet®. 

Barry Best Seamless Gutters is an authorized dealer and installer of Gutter Helmet gutter covers. They’re designed to fit over new or existing seamless gutters, providing them the protection they need against congestion and inclement weather. Gutter Helmet covers are made of lightweight aluminum. Their sturdy construction increases tensile strength while their ribbed surface promotes surface tension, allowing them to withstand heavy rainfall, snow loads and high wind speeds. In addition, Gutter Helmet has a triple lifetime warranty that adds an extra layer of protection to your investment.

But what makes Gutter Helmet covers a standout is their patented nose-forward design, which allows runoff to flow smoothly into your new seamless gutters while keeping out leaves, pine needles and other loose debris. Because of this unique feature, you can keep your gutters clean and clog-free for longer, reducing the need for regular gutter cleaning. Gutter Helmet covers are also painted with high-performance PermaLife™ finish, which is resistant to fading, chalking and corrosion caused by acid rain or saltwater. PermaLife comes in several lovely colors so your Gutter Helmet protection system can blend beautifully with your new seamless gutters.

Why You Should Work With the Barry Best

Homeowners in Canastota and beyond know that when it comes to seamless gutter and Gutter Helmet installation, we will always deliver. Barry Best Seamless Gutters is a fully qualified and certified gutter specialist who has served Madison County for over 29 years. We aim for complete customer satisfaction by providing homeowners with top-tier products, superior workmanship and customer-focused service. But don’t just take our word for it – you’re free to check out the starred ratings and reviews we’ve earned from our delighted customers.