Gutter join leak sealing

ss2020jd

Thanks @grumbler that’s good to know in case I have problems getting the other one. I’ve tracked down a place that stocks Brett Martin (thinking -or hoping- it might be more straightforward with the fitting as the screw holes are already in the right place). Going to get it tomorrow so we’ll see. Just the rubber seals on their own seem a bit trickier to source and it bizarrely looks like I would end up paying more doing it that way. I can’t understand why there were none in there, but I’m discovering most of this house is a DIY mystery. Fingers crossed it will be all up and sorted tomorrow, thanks to the great advice on here!

Eldi_Dos

Could just take seals out of new bracket and fit to existing bracket if you have any difficulty getting bracket off.
Although brackets can get brittle over time so fitting new one would be best.

ss2020jd

Eldi_Dos said:

Could just take seals out of new bracket and fit to existing bracket if you have any difficulty getting bracket off.
Although brackets can get brittle over time so fitting new one would be best.

That’s good to know, thanks. Will see how I get on. I always try the simplest way first wherever possible! 

Bendy_House

stuart45 said:

Bendy_House said:

Yes, gaskets available. Check over the connector carefully, and you should find a make embossed in it. Sometimes also printed along the actual gutter itself - good wipe, and look closely.

It's on the photo Bendy, Brett Martin BR44.

Dammit - I looked and looked.

And looked again - still can't see it

Bendy_House

grumbler said:

It can be easier to buy a new union bracket with two rubber seals. 112mm one is just £2.29 at Screwfix.

And you can even see the 'stop' lines

ss2020jd

Big thanks again for all your great advice and thought I’d post a quick update.

I got the Brett Martin BR044 union and just to try it first I took the seal and replaced it in the existing fitting, dabbed some silicone grease (glad you didn’t delete your post, Bendy!) and fitted back the guttering.Tested with pouring water and nothing came through so fingers crossed! Will see in the rain… 

I realise it’s only a stop gap until I can sort it out properly as aware there needs to be a bit more expansion room as advised and as shown on fitting. The other side of the join is fitted above a greenhouse that is fixed to the wall directly below it so access to those clips will be tricky so will need to get some help for that. As mentioned, I realise it’s better to replace the whole fitting long term so will brace myself for that in the not too distant future when I get some energy and brain power back. At the moment just happy that it’s done the job so far 🤞🏻 thanks to the expert help on here! 

Bendy_House

Nicely done, SS, and good chance it'll work well for a goodly time.

If/when you do come to replace the guttering, consider 'deepflow', and add a teeny slope towards each outlet. If you check/assume the fascia boards are level (check them!), then just add/remove a mm or so from each clip - enough for there to be a slope, but not one that's obviously visible.

Now, 101 more uses for silicone grease :-)

TRV pins.

Any connector that has a rubber washer - shower head, W/M hose, etc.

Sticky car door rubbers.

er...

ss2020jd

Bendy_House said:

Nicely done, SS, and good chance it'll work well for a goodly time.

If/when you do come to replace the guttering, consider 'deepflow', and add a teeny slope towards each outlet. If you check/assume the fascia boards are level (check them!), then just add/remove a mm or so from each clip - enough for there to be a slope, but not one that's obviously visible.

Now, 101 more uses for silicone grease :-)

TRV pins.

Any connector that has a rubber washer - shower head, W/M hose, etc.

Sticky car door rubbers.

er...

Thank you, Bendy. That’s very helpful. Will do. I suspect the rest of the guttering will have similar issues. 

Yes, I mistakenly used the wrong thing on the recently stuck TRV pin (although it did work). I should have come here first!

That’s good to know as it cost more than the fitting and I think I will have enough for several lifetimes! I will be looking for things to use it on now so your list is much appreciated. 

Eldi_Dos

Be wary of getting silicone grease on clothes as if it gets on washing machine drum it is very reluctant to move.

ss2020jd

Eldi_Dos said:

Be wary of getting silicone grease on clothes as if it gets on washing machine drum it is very reluctant to move.

Thanks for that. Sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen. I managed not to today thankfully and wore gloves and will make sure I’m extra careful in the future.