Dear Maintenance Men
25 January 2011
Dear Maintenance Men: My rain gutters leak at some of the joint seams. I have smeared silicone on the joints, but it still leaks. What can I do? Stan
Dear Stan: The underlying issue with your rain gutters is support. Chances are the supports holding up your gutters are weak or rotted. Check each connector holding the rain gutters onto your building. Weak support will cause the gutter to sag when water is present and the joints to separate. If the sag is pronounced enough, the gutters will have low spots, which will cause the gutter to sag even more over time. Once the gutters are properly supported, the joint can be resealed.
You can use clear silicone, or depending on the gutter material, go to your local hardware store and buy the appropriate sealant. The gutter joints must be clean and dry before sealing.
TRIVIA How did Flashlights get their name?
Answer: The flashlight was invented by Joshua Lionel Cowen of the Lionel Train Company in 1898 and patented by Conrad Hubert of the Ever-Ready Battery Company. Because early batteries were weak and bulbs primitive, flashlights of the era produced only a brief flash of light—thus the name.