Rust can form on your gutter system under the right circumstances. Even aluminum — generally considered a rust-proof material — can also suffer from corrosion under extreme conditions. Various gutter components can become rusty, including the corner miters, end caps, downspouts, and gutter troughs.
Depending on the severity of the issue, gutter rust can be repaired or require replacement. Continue reading to find out how gutter corrosion occurs and what you can do to fix it.
What Causes Rusty Gutters?
Some variants of tree pollen have high acid levels. These can eat away at your gutter’s acrylic and zinc coating, leaving your gutters susceptible to corrosion.
These things can clog your gutter system and leave standing water inside. The continued exposure of your gutters to water can damage their structure and a protective coating.
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals come in contact through a conductor, such as water. That said, copper gutters must go with copper components and hardware, while aluminum gutters must go with stainless steel hardware.
Extreme temperature fluctuations can break down your gutter system more quickly. This type of issue is common in mountainous regions or coastal areas.
Neglected gutters clog up, exposing the metals to water for prolonged periods.
Can You Still Repair Rusted Gutters?
The following methods can reduce rusting and extend your gutter’s lifespan. Just make sure to hire professionals to ensure your gutters are assessed and repaired properly.
You can stop rust at an early stage by sanding it away. Professionals use sandpaper of varying grits to remove the rust.
Professionals can remove a rusted section and replace it with a new one. However, they only do this during emergencies because this method creates seamed gutters, which will make the system prone to leaks.
If your gutters are beyond saving, the best thing to do is to replace the entire system.
Need a reliable gutter protection system for your new gutters? Get in touch with Gutter Helmet®! Call (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to request an estimate.