LESLIE: Next, we’re going to take a call from Burt in Iowa who’s got a gutter situation.
Burt, how can we help?
BURT: Well, I was just wondering – I’ve got a curved front porch; instead of a corner, it’s curved. And it’s need of repair or replace and I was wondering do you know of any place that carries that type of system.
TOM: Hmm, interesting. So you’re looking for a curved gutter to match your curved porch.
BURT: Right.
TOM: Now what kind of gutter did it have on? Did it have an aluminum gutter? Did it have a built-in wood gutter? What did you have?
BURT: Aluminum gutter.
TOM: Really?
BURT: They had to cut it at angles and then it’s all …
TOM: That’s what I expect they would have done. They would have cut the back of the gutter to make it bend around the curve by putting a lot of cuts in and then by basically using a mastic on those places. And if it’s done real well, it could look excellent. But is it looking kind of sloppy?
BURT: Well, it’s hanging down. I just had my roof replaced and the person that rehung the gutter didn’t do a very good job, so I was just really kind of looking to replace it.
TOM: Well, I don’t think you’re going to be able to find a custom-made gutter product that is easy to bend like that. I’ve never seen one …
LESLIE: So there’s nothing flexible?
TOM: No. Generally because, mostly, gutters are made right at your house. You’ve seen the big rolls of metal that come out and they extrude the gutters and it comes out formed. And then to install them in a curved surface, you basically bend them by cutting the back out and the bottom so that they very slowly work their way around; you might make a slice every six inches and pull that curve around. But then of course you have to seal the bottom; you have to almost reline the bottom and the back of the gutter. And that’s generally the way it’s done. And if you have a craftsman doing it, it will look perfectly. It sounds to me like, though, that your old one needs to be replaced.
Is it physically deteriorated or can it simply be repaired?
BURT: It could be repaired, I suppose.
TOM: Why don’t you spend some time and find the right guy to repair it? I think that’s going to be the easiest way to solve your problem. OK, Burt?
BURT: Alrighty. Yep, thanks.
TOM: Alright. Interesting question. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Where to buy curved gutters. Haven’t seen them. If anybody knows that they’re available, we’d love to hear about it. Write us at [email protected].
This is The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show. The number is 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Leslie, who’s next?
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