Treating Rusted Gutters
Many older houses have cast iron or steel guttering and, as with any metal, this is prone to corrosion over time. It is a good idea to paint any metal guttering regularly, ideally once a year, with good quality metal paint. This will also allow you to check the gutter for areas of rust and give you time to treat them before they get too bad.
Ladder Safety
When working at height, you need to make sure that you follow some safety rules. A fall from a ladder at the height of the gutter will result in serious injury at the least. Take a look at our Ladder Safety Guide for more information on setting up a ladder properly.
Treating Rust
Small patches of rust can be rubbed down with an Emery Cloth or some fine sandpaper, whilst larger patches should be cleaned up with a stiff wire brush or a wire brush wheel fitted in a drill. In either case, rub the rust back until you see only clean bare metal. You should now paint on a generous coat of rust-neutralising primer (available from most DIY stores) and allow it to dry completely.
If the guttering has rusted through in any areas, you will obviously need to make some repairs. Small holes and cracks can be sanded back to bare metal and sealed with roof and gutter sealant. Larger holes might need to be patched using either glass fibre filler or by applying some gutter repair tape. Gutter repair tape is a thin layer of foil coated with a layer of bitumenious adhesive, often on both sides of the tape. Make sure the area around the hole is clean and dry before applying either type of patch. Wait for the repair patch or filler to harden before painting the whole section of gutter with a good quality black bitumen or exterior gloss paint.
Related DIY Guides:
- Treating WoodwormWoodworm, the name given to several different types of woodboring insects, is currently not as much of a problem in the UK as it is...
- Leaking Gutter JointsA leaking gutter is one the most common causes of isolated damp in UK homes, even though it is one of the easiest to spot...
- Roof Repair ToolsPerforming minor repairs and maintenance to your roof is very possible, but you need to work safely and if possible work with a helper. Using...
- Stripping Painted MetalThere are lots of metal surfaces around your home which might, at some point, need stripping and repainting. These include Radiators, guttering, gates, railings and...
- Maintaining Metal WindowsNot many houses still have old steel-framed windows nowadays, but some do and unless you plan to replace them with wooden or UPVC frames, you...
