Rusty Gutters: Causes and Fixes

A healthy gutter system can protect your roof and foundation from water damage. Without proper maintenance, however, rust can form over time and destroy your gutters. Rust occurs when oxygen, water and certain types of metal, such as iron and steel, interact with one another. It eats away at metals, which may cause holes and compromise structural stability. 

Rusty gutters are more than an appearance problem. In fact, they can also allow rainwater to penetrate your home. 

What Causes Rusty Gutters?

Rust forming on gutters doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for it to fester and eventually damage your gutters. We list a few common causes that may lead to rusty gutters:

• Pollen: Some acidic tree pollen is acidic and can eat the coating right off the aluminum, leaving the gutter to accumulate rust. For this reason, don’t forget to wash your roof and flush your gutters regularly with a garden hose, especially if you know pollen is stacking up on your gutters and there is no rain.
• Temperature changes: If the temperature goes up to 90 degrees in the morning and down to 40 degrees at night, it can break down the structure of your aluminum gutters. This is particularly true for homeowners who live in mountain or coastal regions.
• Poor maintenance: Failure to maintain and take care of your gutters can eventually lead to debris buildup, which may include standing water and decomposing plant material. These can break down the outside layer of the aluminum, allowing rust to infiltrate the material.

What Should You Do With Rusted Gutters?

If the damage is only minor, you can slow down and even stop gutter rust as long as it is treated properly and caught at an early stage. To sand off the surface rust that is forming on the gutters, use sandpaper or a wire brush. Once finished with the sanding process, coat the affected spot with an appropriate metal primer to halt or delay further rusting. 

When it comes to gutters that are significantly rusted due to old age or poor maintenance, using sandpaper may not be a sufficient solution. As such, it’s best to have your damaged gutters entirely replaced. New gutters can better protect your home from water damage and guarantee a better investment. 

Need help with your rusted gutters? Turn to the pros at Quality One Roofing Inc! As a top gutter expert for the past 20 years, we will inspect your gutter system for rust and address the issue to prevent further damage. Call us today at (888) 301-7663, or fill out our online contact form to request a quote. We serve homeowners in Malvern, PA, and the surrounding communities in Chester County.