Repairing Copper Rain Gutters - Fine Homebuilding

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Log In Discussion Forum repairing copper rain gutters markinhawaii | Posted in General Discussion on January 3, 2006 12:43pm

I’m getting ready to patch some small holes in a copper rain gutter. Should I try cleaning around the small holes, apply flux and then fill the hole with solder or should I try using fiberglass mesh and roofing cement? Anybody have ideas or experience in repairing copper rain gutters?

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  1. seeyou | Jan 03, 2006 01:49pm | #1

    Option #1. Do not use roofing cement and mesh.  What's causing the holes?

    Birth, school, work, death.....................

    http://grantlogan.net/

  2. maverick | Jan 03, 2006 04:39pm | #2

    Its surprising to hear about holes forming in a copper gutter. You must have a good dose of galvonic corrosion going on, more commonly known as dissimilar metals.

    After you get the holes patched you might want to visit a marine supply store and get one of those sacrificial zincs that has a cable attached. Fasten one end of the cable to the gutter and bury the zinc deep in the ground

    Also look around for any iron based fasteners or cables that might be attached to your gutters and isolate them

    1. seeyou | Jan 04, 2006 02:13am | #3

      I'm guessing the gutters might be under a cedar roof. If that's the case they're probably shot. If something's poked a hole in them, than they're fixable.Birth, school, work, death.....................

      http://grantlogan.net/

    2. markinhawaii | Jan 04, 2006 11:52am | #4

      I looked at the job more closely today.  The holes have formed where water had been sitting, where the straps sagged causing the gutter to sag.  I think your right about the dissimilar metal problem.  The copper straps are attached to the roofing (steel, gal. and painted.  The nails are galvanized.  The owner thinks that the roofing was replaced about ten years ago but that the gutters are more like thirty something.  I like the zinc cable idea and will try it if I decide to take the job.  There is about 250' of gutter and about 25 holes, most are less then an 8th".  Most of the straps need to be tighten up to make the gutter on an even sloping plane.  I'm still not sure what I should use to fix the holes, solder or roofing cement with fiberglass mesh (Norm the TV carpenter, on his web site suggests the cement and fiberglass for metal gutters).

      The person who wants the gutters fixed was also given a quote for aluminum gutters, replacing the copper gutters, for about 1,300.  I figure it will take me about 40 hours to do the job and even then I'm still not sure what else I'll find.  I would hate to see her go to aluminum but then I'm not sure I can do this job for much less and even then I'm not sure how long my patch and strap job will last.  Hilo gets about 80" of rain a year.

      I told the owner I would try to get back to them tomorrow with an update, I've already explain most of this info with her, I'm just not sure how valuable it is for her to keep the cooper gutter (most of the gutters appear to be in good shape, feels solid and has some thickness to it).

      Anyway, thank you for your response and if you have any experience with patching these small holes and have an idea of how I should patch them, please let me know.

      Thanks,

      mark

      1. User avater MarkH | Jan 04, 2006 02:57pm | #5

        Solder old fashioned copper pennies over them?

        1. markinhawaii | Jan 04, 2006 10:03pm | #6

          Amazing, when I was taking a shower this morning I was wondering if Pennys would work, thanks for the tip.

           

          1. User avater MarkH | Jan 05, 2006 01:31am | #7

            Make sure they aren't the new copper plated zinc ones.

          2. User avater Sphere | Jan 05, 2006 03:05am | #8

            that'll still work just fine. 

          3. theslateman | Jan 05, 2006 04:12am | #9

            If the gutters have that many holes there are bound to be more in the future.

            Why not quickly repair them with EPDM flashing-knowing they'll need replacement in the not too distant future.

            Seems "penny wise" to effect repairs to old stock that cost nearly as much as new alum. ones.

            Just my two cents.

          4. markinhawaii | Jan 06, 2006 10:53am | #10

            What is EPDM, the name does not come to mind.  I agree about not spending to much time and effort on the copper gutters, but they are really not in all that bad shape.  I soldered a couple of penny's today and got them in, but it was not easy, it has been a long time since I have used a soldering Iron #4.  Is EPDM some kind of caulking?

            Thanks for the advice.

            mark

          5. theslateman | Jan 06, 2006 12:52pm | #11

            It's rubber roofing or more to the point-the flashing rolls for it.

            Ask a commercial roofer to buy 8' or so and cut it in 2" round patches.

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Tag » How To Repair Copper Gutter