Hidden gutters, also called built-in gutters, are built into the roof itself. When they leak, it is almost always because of how they were installed or repaired. This Richmond roof was a textbook case.
Why hidden gutters leak
Most hidden gutters are sealed the cheap way. The seams get nailed, and then a bead of caulking is run over the top. Caulking does not hold up. It dries out, cracks, and lets go, and once a seam opens the water runs into the roof and the wall.
The drains get the same treatment. Instead of being properly membraned, they are sealed with caulking, which is one of the most common places these gutters start to leak.
What we found on this Richmond roof
Improper seams and a drain sealed with caulking, exactly the pattern we see on built-in gutters that were never patched properly in the first place.
How we patch hidden gutters properly
We do not rely on caulking. We use commercial grade membranes and adhesives with proper patch membranes to rebuild the gutter so it actually holds water.
The most important part is the prep, because it is a glue system. The patch membrane and the adhesive will only bond if the surface is cleaned really well and is completely dry. A dirty or damp gutter will not hold a patch, so we clean it thoroughly, let it dry, and then bond the membrane down.
The result
With the seams and drain rebuilt using commercial grade patch membranes, the gutter was watertight again. Every patch we apply comes with a 5 year warranty.
If your hidden gutter has been caulked, it will likely fail again
If a built-in gutter on your home has been sealed with caulking, expect it to leak again. The lasting fix is a proper membrane patch bonded to a clean, dry surface. If you are seeing stains below a built-in gutter, or water where the roof meets a wall, get it checked before it reaches the structure.
We repair hidden and built-in gutters across Greater Vancouver and serve Richmond and the surrounding area. Call 778-389-5564 for a free estimate.