Deformed gutter
#1
03-09-17, 08:55 PM
Deformed gutter
I have a spot on the gutter that is damaged/deformed. Not sure what caused it could be a tree limb fell on it or may be a ladder leaning on it the wrong way, not sure.
The problem is now the gutter guard doesn't quite fit, when I forced the gutter guard over it, it caused a "valley". Then leaves and debris are trapped and over time the weight causes the guard to cave into the gutter and after a year or so there is like 2-3 inches of compost in the gutter. I just removed all the guards and collected over four bucket full of dirt.
I put a new guard in but it won't last.
Is there any way to fix this? These gutters are now in sections it's one piece 80' long.
I tried to pull it with my hand and that didn't work.
The problem is now the gutter guard doesn't quite fit, when I forced the gutter guard over it, it caused a "valley". Then leaves and debris are trapped and over time the weight causes the guard to cave into the gutter and after a year or so there is like 2-3 inches of compost in the gutter. I just removed all the guards and collected over four bucket full of dirt.
I put a new guard in but it won't last.
Is there any way to fix this? These gutters are now in sections it's one piece 80' long.
I tried to pull it with my hand and that didn't work.
#2
03-10-17, 01:48 AM
Group Moderator
You could try ripping a short piece of 1/2" plywood on a table saw so that it fits horizontally across the top of the gutter (inside the lip of the gutter where the spikes are.) Fit that into the gutter where it is not crushed, then use a hammer to slide the plywood down toward the area where it is crushed. You may need to take a block of wood and a hammer and tap on the front of the gutter while the plywood is in place in order to flatten it out. (Kind if like how a dolly and hammer is used when doing body work).
Edit: correct spelling. Thanks marksr
Edit: correct spelling. Thanks marksr
Last edited by XSleeper; 03-10-17 at 03:25 AM.
#3
03-10-17, 03:04 AM
Is 'molly' a regional term 
I've always heard hammer and dolly
I agree if you can't bend it back by hand that most anything straight that will give you leverage or something to hammer against is the way to go.
I've always heard hammer and dollyI agree if you can't bend it back by hand that most anything straight that will give you leverage or something to hammer against is the way to go.
#4
03-10-17, 04:40 AM
Group Moderator
Gutters bend easily. Usually I just grab it and push/pull it back into shape by hand. It looks like yours does not have a sharp crease so it should come back pretty well. The dent stretched the metal so you won't be able to bring it back like new but you should be able to get it pretty close. When you pull out the dent make sure you brace your other hand on the gutter so your pulling doesn't rip a gutter mount from the house.
#5
03-10-17, 04:53 AM
Thanks. There are a couple of things I could try.
I already tried pulling. Its pretty heavy gauge metal and it won't come back when pulled with one hand holding the back side against the fascia and the other hand pulling out. Although o didn't try a vein poping pull.
Using straight lumber as leverage might work. What if I take a 2x2 on the outside, clamped on both ends to where they are straight, then put a clamp at the crease to try to pull the front metal against the lumber to close the gap. I can stick in some shims under the lip where the clamping is to stop the lip from collapsing. Think that may work?
I already tried pulling. Its pretty heavy gauge metal and it won't come back when pulled with one hand holding the back side against the fascia and the other hand pulling out. Although o didn't try a vein poping pull.
Using straight lumber as leverage might work. What if I take a 2x2 on the outside, clamped on both ends to where they are straight, then put a clamp at the crease to try to pull the front metal against the lumber to close the gap. I can stick in some shims under the lip where the clamping is to stop the lip from collapsing. Think that may work?
#6
03-10-17, 05:23 AM
Clamping would work although you probably don't need the clamps at the ends. You would want a piece of plywood or something on the inside to make a broader contact with the clamp [so it doesn't dent that point]
#7
03-10-17, 07:02 AM
Member
Bent Gutter
Use two lengths of 2x4 18-20 in long. Place one in the gutter on its end(standing vertically). Place the other in front of the first. Pull on the top end of the second one while holding the top end of the first one. You are using a lever to pull the bent portion outward. I would start near the spikes and work toward the most extreme part of the bend. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project.
#8
03-10-17, 08:19 AM
While it won't correct the dent, you could try to trim the gutter guard to fit that area without forming the "valley" that contributes to the collection of debris.
It probably won't be as tight a fit as in the uncrushed sections, but it might help/address the debris problem.
It probably won't be as tight a fit as in the uncrushed sections, but it might help/address the debris problem.
#9
03-12-17, 04:12 AM
If it hasn't already been suggested, I'd recommend positioning another Gutter Spike and its accompanying Bushing right at the apex of this dent.
