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Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Back in April, I posted about our Gutter of Doom over the back steps and how it was overdue for repair.
As usual, all my big plans for immediate action didn’t pan out. Then last weekend – with all the buzz about Hurricane Gustav coming through – we decided we’d better do something about this gutter, which dumps water all over our back steps.
We called the handy man the previous owners of this house recommended to us way back when we first bought the house almost four years ago, but we couldn’t get hold of him. D left a message, and we still haven’t received a call back from this guy.
So we took matters into our own hands. I said, “Can’t we just duct tape the thing?” and that must’ve been the permission D was looking for to bust out the redneck miracle. We promptly borrowed a roll of duct tape from the neighbors, set up a ladder, and set to work. (Rather, Darwin set to work while I watched and handed him stuff. I don’t do heights.)
Because of all the moisture, the white paint is peeling off the gutter everywhere, and there’s funky green mold (or something) all over it. It looks pretty vile. I figured it couldn’t look any worse, even covered with duct tape.
So D scraped off the paint and cleaned off the gunk along the cracked seam and went to taping.
We were pretty confident this fix – though hideous – would do the trick and stop the waterfall from flowing down onto the steps every time it rains.
Then, of course, the worst we got from Gustav was a blustery day, and it hasn’t rained a drop since. Still, I’m excited to have this problem at least temporarily solved.
Now, when our home study social worker comes in November or so, I hope we won’t still have this glaring eyesore as the first thing she sees of our house. Do they give babies to people with moldy gutters?
Oh, I don’t think it’ll interfere with adoption (you did make me laugh though), but I’m anxious to hear if it works.
Lynn
Get a can of white spray paint and spray over the duct tape. It should hide the duct tape.
We have gotten 4 1/2 inches of rain in two days from Gustav’s remnants. My old house basement is a little damp.
Of course, right after I wrote this it rained, and the duct tape didn’t entirely hold. Still leaked in a couple spots. But it was better than the Niagara Falls we had before.
Check out Home Depot or Lowe’s. There is a roofing caulk that I bought but haven’t tried yet. We have crappy gutters too. The crappy gutter portion of this month’s budget was spent on a tree service. Thanks, Gustav!!!
we passed our homestudy with two major projects going on at our house. they were super about it though. they even came back to see our finished work! :)