How to Fix Overflowing Gutters

An add-on splash guard prevent gutter overflows.

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Introduction

If rainwater cascading down your roof valley causes a waterfall that washes out the petunias every time it storms, do this simple fix. It costs only a few dollars and takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Tools Required

  • Drill bit set
  • Drill/driver - cordless

Project step-by-step (3)

Step 1

Drill Rivet Holes for the Gutter Splash Guard

  • Drill 1/8-in. holes through the splash guard and the gutter.
    • You can find these precut gutter splash guards (about $3) in brown and white aluminum at a home center, but you could easily make your own out of aluminum or sheet metal and spray paint them to match your gutters.

Drill Rivet Holes for the Gutter Splash GuardFamily Handyman

Step 2

Push in the Rivets

  • Press the head of a 1/8-in. rivet into each hole.

Push in the RivetsFamily Handyman

Step 3

Fasten the Rivets

  • Place the pop rivet tool over the shaft of the rivet and squeeze the handle once or twice to compress the rivet and break off the stem.
    • If you don’t own a Pop riveter, attach the guards with 1/2-in. sheet metal screws instead.

Fasten the RivetsFamily Handyman