Gutter rust can form and damage your gutter system. It forms under the correct circumstances over time. It can happen in every part of the system. This includes the end caps, the gutter trough, the downspouts, the corner miters, and much more. To make things simple, any part made of aluminum is prone to corrosion or rust.  

Typically, there’s no going back once gutters start to rust. It will keep on spreading. However, can you fix gutter rust? Can you hire a gutter repair Chesapeake VA company to remove it? 

Here are several things you can do: 

Caulk Gutter Rust Hole 

Caulking the rust hole is one temporary solution you can try. It’s quite simple to explain. You cover the whole rust hole using caulk or waterproof sealant. It will stop the water from leaking once it cures or dries properly.  

Keep in mind that rust will still keep on expanding, even if you caulk the rust holes. Over time, it will outgrow the caulk. Thus, this solution is only temporary. The best thing you can do is to hire a professional gutter repair company to evaluate your situation and offer the right solution. 

Get Rid of the Rusted Gutter Section 

Cutting out the whole rusted gutter section is one temporary solution to consider. After getting rid of the affected section, you can replace it with a new one. For instance, you’ve got a very long gutter system of around 60 feet and you find it extremely expensive to replace the entire gutter system. Perhaps cutting out the affected part and replacing it is a more affordable solution.  

Unfortunately, professionals do not recommend this solution. The reason for this is that you’ll end up with gutter seams if you add a new section. Typically, these seams are vulnerable to leaks and you will have to reseal them after several years.  

However, if you really want to replace the rusted section, professionals recommend cutting several feet away from the rust. If you don’t do this, chances are there is still corrosion left on the surface and it will keep on spreading.  

Sand Gutter Rust 

You can slow down gutter rust and often stop it if you discover it early on and treat it right away. Oftentimes, you can utilize sandpaper to sand the surface rust that’s forming on the gutter.  

To get rid of rust from the surface, you can utilize a wire brush or sandpaper. You’ve got to ensure you eliminate every last speck of rust. It’s extremely crucial that you paint your gutter using a primer once you’re done removing the rust.  

However, it might be too late to sand the gutter if you can see holes where water might leak. Chances are there are more holes in the gutter if you already see at least one hole. If this is the case, it might be best to replace the gutter system.  

If you find rust in your gutter system, these solutions can help you fix it temporarily. You will still need to hire a professional to replace your entire gutter system.