I have PVC gutters on a pole barn that I installed last year. I have noticed this year on two occasions where the sections seem to be pulling apart from each other (at the joints) and causing the gutter to leak when it rains. It's simple enough to push the sections back together but I don't want to have to keep doing this. Any suggestions for preventing this from happening? Thanks in advance.
Gutter sections keep separating
- Thread starter kdrymer
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oldognewtrick
In memory of
If it were mine, I would get a tube of gutter caulk and seal the seams. You can find it in the apron stores where they have the gutter supplies. DO NOT USE A SILICONE CAULK!!!
I did a little more looking around as I’m sure you have. I found a few people using PVC glue and a few that said don’t use the purple cleaner as it will stain the gutter unless you are super careful.
Here is a guy that did an experiment with it and his results.
Here is a guy that did an experiment with it and his results.
I did not watch the video on gluing because my internet is so SLOOOOOOOOW! But if is was not mentioned, you can buy clear primer at the orange store. I use it all the time so I have nice looking joints when I glue PVC pipe. For anything outside particularly use primer.
I suspect your separation is due to thermal expansion and contraction. Just like vinyl siding which moves all the time. Or am I just stating the obvious?
I suspect your separation is due to thermal expansion and contraction. Just like vinyl siding which moves all the time. Or am I just stating the obvious?
Last edited:
pjones
Well-Known Member
I glue pipes, in certain circumstances, without using the purple primer, just glue. The glue holds well enough to keep the pipes together if they are not under pressure. Do not skip the primer step if you are joining pressurized pipes or something critical.
Being that this is just a gutter, I would suggest getting clear PVC glue, or clear PVC to ABS transition glue and skipping the purple primer. Any hardware store should have either of those.
Being that this is just a gutter, I would suggest getting clear PVC glue, or clear PVC to ABS transition glue and skipping the purple primer. Any hardware store should have either of those.
Your saying install screws on each side of the seam, into the gutter itself? Will this cause any issues with the vinyl needing to expand and contract?
Thanks for the feedback. So your suggesting to glue the joint to the two gutter sections?
This is the type of joint it has:
(https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amerimax-Traditional-Vinyl-K-Style-Gutter-Slip-Joint/1000244683)
pjones
Well-Known Member
No, I’m just saying that you probably don’t need to use purple primer if you decide to glue it, to keep a consistent look.
I’m not sure what the best solution would be without seeing it myself.
Is it possible the expansion and contraction is allowing it to walk in the hangers? It may be best to find a solution for the walking rather than glueing the whole thing....
slownsteady
Well-Known Member
In the big box store, look right next to the pvc gutter sections and you will find pvc cement meant for gluing your sections together. I'm pretty sure you can find clear primer too.
pjones
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I was in a rush when I wrote this. To better explain...
I don’t install gutters professionally, my only recommendations are based off my own experiences and that is limited to when using that plastic type gutter that you are using.
I do however use PVC pipe at work and can guide you in that area to help you if you determine that gluing the gutter together is the proper solution.
Using primer is the best practice but I understand your concern about the looks. Being that it is not a pressurized pipe the forces that the glue has to withstand are small in comparison to what it is designed for. Contraction can put quite a pull on gutter but if it’s installed right then it shouldn’t be under that much stress at all.
My concern is that if you glue it all together on a hot day then come winter when it’s fully contracted it will put a squeeze on the house and something will want to give. I would think there should be an expansion joint (at least one if not more) on each side of the house. 100’ of PVC will expand about 1” when it’s allowed to increase in temperature 25 Deg.F ... you can add all the supports you want, that gutter is still going to try to expand and it will warp, bend, or push out your side gutters if it’s not allowed to do so. The manufacture may make specific expansion joints designed for long runs, you could probably find some online if you search for the same make or design that you have. If you glue it all up solid on a nice hot day I would anticipate something would break come winter if not the first mild temperature day.
The PVC down spouts that I’ve seen have a long slip way incorporated in them that could allow for expansion. Do you have one of those on each face of the house?
slownsteady
Well-Known Member
The brackets designed for use with pvc gutters (at least on the ones I have found) are in a track and are not glued down.
pjones
Well-Known Member
That’s how the ones that I’ve seen work also. The problem would develop once the gutter rounds the corners of the house because then it’s being held along a second axis and that ability to slide inside the brackets would become lost. It’s in that scenario that an expansion joint or a slip coupling would become necessary. I’m also not sure if those brackets were designed to allow for the expansion of a really long run. They seem pretty flimsy when sideways force is applied to them and in my experience they catch and jam up when trying to push a gutter through sideways.
