What Causes Gutter Leaks at Corners and Joints?

A lot of homeowners in Washington first notice a gutter leak when they happen to catch a drip out of the corner of their eye during a rainy day. It usually starts small. Maybe the corner has one little drip that doesn’t seem like a big deal. But corners and joints do a lot of work, and over the years they take on more stress than the straight sections.

With all the steady rain we get, changes in temperature, and the constant fall of leaves and needles, those seams slowly loosen. Before long, that little drip becomes something you see every time it rains.

Why Corners and Joints Start Leaking

Leaks in these spots usually come from simple wear and tear. The sealant holding the corner together only lasts so long. After years of rain and damp weather, it dries out or cracks just enough for water to slip through. In Washington’s climate, that breakdown happens a little faster than in drier areas.

Then there’s the metal itself. Gutters expand a touch on warm days and tighten up again when it cools down. You can’t see it happening, but those tiny shifts add up. After enough cycles, a joint can loosen just a little, and that’s all it takes for water to find its way out.

Debris plays its part too. Corners collect everything: leaves, needles, dirt and when the water hits that pile, it slows down and pushes harder on the seam. That pressure can open a small gap that gets a little bigger every time it rains.

Most homeowners notice things like:

• A drip coming right from the corner
• A faint water mark or stain under that seam
• Water spilling over more than it used to
• The ground staying damp in the same spot after rain

None of these seem dramatic at first, but they’re all early signs of a joint starting to fail.

How to Fix Leaking Gutter Corners

Fixing a leaking corner usually isn’t a big project. The area just needs to be cleaned out, given time to dry, and then sealed with a flexible gutter sealant that holds up well in Washington’s shifting weather. Once it’s resealed, the joint stays tight but still has enough give to move a little without opening back up.

Most homeowners spend $150 to $300 for this kind of repair, depending on how easy the corner is to reach and how much sealing is needed. In most cases, you’ll see the improvement the very next time it rains.

Need Help With a Leaky Corner?

If you’ve been watching a drip grow slowly or keep spotting stains under the same corner, it’s a good time to have someone take a closer look. CR Gutters, Inc.™ can clean, seal, and tighten the joint so your system works the way it should again.

Call (253) 447-1419 to schedule a quick inspection or get help repairing that leaking corner. We’ll make sure your gutters are ready for whatever Washington weather brings next.