Removing Rust from a Rain Gutter

Certain types of rain gutters will rust. If not removed, the rust will mean replacing the gutters sooner than would be necessary. Prevention, including cleaning, is the best solution but rust does happened and needs to be treated before further corrosion occurs. You could call someone to do the job for you but you can take care of it yourself. To do this, you will need sandpaper and paint specially made for rain gutters. A siding or roofing supply store should have what you need. So you are prepared and do not need to make additional trips, purchase new straps and new sealant for the elbows. It is a good idea to see if you can tell if any parts have enough rust to require replacement parts so you will have them ready when needed.

This job normally only takes a couple of days. You will need to dismantle the downspouts through which the water drains from the troughs that catch the rainwater. Because the troughs are more difficult to put back on place, it is best to leave them where they are and clean the rust from them there. The downspouts are more easily reinstalled.

Remove the straps that hold the downspouts in place so the spouts are not secured to the side of the house. It is best to leave the elbow that connects the downspout to the trough in place since it is sealed to the trough. Sand to rust until no more rust is visible; normally rust is only on the surface of the metal. Should you sand all the way through without removing all the rust, the metal will have lost integrity and you will need to replace that part of the gutter.

After you have sanded away the rust, paint the gutters to keep them from beginning to rust again right away. after the paint has dried, reinstall the downspouts to the elbows. Inspect the sealant that holds the elbows to the troughs and if necessary, apply new sealant made for the purpose. If the straps can be reused, reattach them to secure the downspouts in place, starting at the top and working downward. It may be necessary to replace them but, fortunately, the straps do not cost much to replace.

With your rain gutters resurfaced and painted, you will not have to worry about them rusting through so water drips off the roof and goes where it could cause damage. Doing it yourself may take some time but will save money.