How To Waterproof a Construction Gutter

With the arrival of the rains, infiltration problems in homes increase. If not properly resolved, they can cause permanent damage to the gutter system and, as a result, increase the cost of its repair. Therefore, prevention is better than cure.

Normally, infiltration is due to problems in the waterproofing layer of the roof , so it is necessary to know how to choose the best product to protect the roofs, especially in the case of new constructions. Before going into the subject, it is necessary to have the help of a professional in the installation and repair of gutters to avoid accidents.

What to do before waterproofing a gutter

When you have a leak resulting from a filtration in the roof, it is very important that, before waterproofing, an expert analyzes whether there are cracks and the location of the singular points of the roof , that is, the joints where the horizontal and vertical surfaces meet.

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In this way, the singular points and joints can be sealed and everything can be focused on how to waterproof the gutter. On many occasions, due to receiving more water and being in contact with the vertical walls of the exterior of the building, the gutters tend to suffer cracks over time and, subsequently, leaks . Therefore, we recommend that you follow these steps before waterproofing:

• Examine the slope and its relationship to the drains with the help of a professional gutter service.
• Consider the atmospheric conditions of the location in which you are located. Factors such as the amount of precipitation, air humidity and temperature variation are very important to consider when choosing the materials to be used for waterproofing. Choose the right material, recommended by an expert in the installation of rain gutters.

How to waterproof gutters and prevent leaks

Any waterproofing problem you may have can be easily solved with a mesh and a couple of coats of liquid waterproofing .

Steps to waterproof a gutter:

• Thoroughly clean the entire surface to be treated. Remove all damaged material and anything that may hinder the adhesion of the material to be placed, such as stones or dirt. You must ensure that the surface is free of dust and dirt.
• Cut the fiberglass reinforcement mesh . A 25g mesh is sufficient to provide the necessary support.
• Place the mesh over the crack and apply the waterproofing; now, with the help of a brush, adhere the mesh over the crack.
• Allow to dry for at least four hours . If there are several cracks or unusual spots along the gutter, you can continue to fix them.
• Make a second, thicker pass .
• Let it dry for a day and apply a finishing coat over the entire gutter.

Maintenance and prevention

As you may have already noticed, repairing a roof is not cheap and, if you have had water leaks in your home or in several homes, it will surely be quite expensive for the community of owners.

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For this reason, preventive maintenance activities are necessary and can be carried out by personnel from an external company. In the case of waterproofing large roofs, it is advisable to hire a company specialized in these tasks to avoid accidents or problems, as well as to follow these recommendations:

• Inspect every 6 to 12 months and every 2 to 5 years before a change of use.
• Deep clean every year or every 6 months.
• Renew if necessary and according to the product applied.