Taking quick action is important if you’ve noticed rust on your gutters. Once rust starts, it spreads quickly and can eat completely through the metal, rendering your gutters useless. However, if you take steps to prevent and treat gutter rust quickly, you can ensure your gutters last.
How to Increase the Life of Your Gutters
The best way to treat a rusty gutter is to prevent it before it happens. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Here’s how to prevent and treat gutter rust.
Ways To Prevent Gutter Rust
Rust prevention is a key to ensuring your gutters have a long life and do their job well. Here’s how you can increase the life of your gutters.
Regular Repairs
Inspect your gutters regularly and immediately fix components that aren’t up to par. Unaddressed gutter damages weaken the gutter system, exposing the metal to the open air and increasing the rate at which oxidation (rust) occurs.
Proper Drainage
Excess water from storms or grime from past debris can sit in your gutters’ downspouts. These materials slowly wear away at the piping, making them more likely to rust over time. Test your gutters’ slope. Pour water into them and have someone indicate whether it drains along the ground.
Re-Line the Gutter
Rubber sealants form a protective barrier between the metal and water. Sealants are very effective at preventing rust and maintaining your gutter system’s seams. These formulas can help increase your gutters’ drainage ability and reduce the risk of blockages.
Annual Cleaning
The best way to prevent rust in your gutters is to keep them as clean as possible. The more debris you leave in your gutters, the more damage your gutters will suffer. Regularly clearing them of debris or hiring someone to do it for you is a crucial part of making them last.
Steps to Getting Rid of Rust
Apply a thin coat of CRC Evapo-Rust® Gel Rust Remover, wait an hour, and scrub the rust away with a stiff-bristled brush. Flush the entire gutter with water. Allow the item to dry completely.
Prime the material to prevent any future issues. Numerous metal primers on the market are designed for rust prevention, so choose a solid product that gets excellent reviews.
Pro-Tip: If the rust has already corroded through the gutter, then your best bet is to replace that specific section. Though this may be a simple DIY job for some, it is usually best to call on a professional to ensure the proper slope.
Keep Your Gutters Rust-Free
Rusty gutters are problematic and may indicate a bigger issue, including clogs and sagging gutters. But you can ensure your gutters last by choosing the right material for your climate, ensuring a proper installation, and treating rust spots with CRC EVAPO-RUST as they occur.
Find CRC EVAPO-RUST products online or at your favorite local retailer. If you have any questions about our products, please don’t hesitate to contact customer care at 800.272.8963. For technical support, please call 800.521.3168.