IRWIN 100-ft Chalk Reel — We keep this chalk reel in every toolbox. It’s how we quickly lay out a straight, visible guide across the fascia to show where hangers should go. For proper drainage, we follow the tried-and-true rule of a ¼-inch drop for every 10 feet of gutter. It’s a simple tool, but it makes a huge difference in making sure water flows to the downspout like it’s supposed to. No laser levels, no guessing—just a clear blue line that keeps our installs clean, even, and effective.
Gutter maintenance tools in Dunwoody, GA
Hear that faint drip at a joint days after rain? That’s not morning dew; it’s a lazy seam letting water creep behind the fascia. Leave it and paint blisters, soffits sag, and crawlspaces dampen. Grab a tube of elastic sealant, a torpedo level, and a driver with a box of zip screws, and you can tune up an entire gutter run before brunch. Our small Dunwoody crew keeps those exact basics on the truck—always happy to walk you through a checkup or tackle the ladder work ourselves—so eaves stay sharp without twenty-four-hour premiums or drone-powered sales pitches.
Why steady upkeep beats surprise repairs later
Most gutter failures sneak up: a loose bracket here, a shrinking seal bead there, or slope that drifts a hair out of level. Catch them twice a year and you’re out one free Saturday and a handful of supplies; skip routine care and you’re pricing wood rot fixes, repainting fascia, and cursing puddles. The tools below aren’t glamorous—they’re the steady standbys we trust from Chamblee-Dunwoody Road to Peeler Park. Pair them with a solid ladder and clear skies and you’ll keep troughs healthy without midnight call-outs or high-tech gizmos.
Mark pitch in seconds
Trim stray sealant
Midwest Angled Gutter Snips — After we seal a seam or joint, sometimes a little excess squeezes out and dries rough. These angled snips help us trim off any hardened caulk or leftover flashing without damaging the aluminum or scratching the paint. They're also great for small miter adjustments or trimming tabs. We don’t use automatic cutters—just these sharp, reliable snips and a steady hand to keep the work clean and professional-looking.
Re-seat sagging hangers
Amerimax Quick-Clip Hidden Hangers — Over time, gutters can droop under the weight of debris or from loose fasteners. We use these hidden hangers to bring them back in line. They tuck under the front lip of the gutter, then screw into the rafter tail behind the fascia. It’s not a complicated system, but it holds up strong. When we re-seat hangers, we follow the slope line and space them every two feet so everything stays level and tight through storms and seasons.
Top up leaky seams
OSI Quad Max Gutter Sealant — A lot of gutter leaks happen at seams and end caps, and most of them can be fixed without tearing anything down. When we spot a drip or a weeping seam, we clean the area, then run a new bead of this flexible sealant right over the problem spot. It bonds even if the metal is a little damp and stays flexible in Georgia’s hot summers and cold winters. This isn’t high-end magic—it’s just a great sealant and the know-how to apply it properly.
Lock rivets that wiggle
WORKPRO Heavy-Duty Rivet Gun — Rivets are the backbone of most gutter connections, especially at corners and outlet holes. When we find ones that are loose, rusted, or broken, we pop in fresh aluminum rivets using this manual rivet gun. It’s tough, straightforward, and helps us lock joints tight again without needing a full replacement. Most jobs just need a little reinforcement—not a whole new system—and this tool gets it done fast.
Verify slope instantly
Johnson 9-Inch Magnetic Torpedo Level — We don’t finish a job without checking the slope. This magnetic level sticks right to the back channel of the gutter so we can make quick slope checks without juggling the tool. If the bubble’s not right, we adjust the hangers until it is. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in preventing standing water, overflow, or long-term sag. Simple, quick, and accurate—just the way we like it.
Glide fresh beads smooth
Newborn 930-GTD Caulk Gun — When we need to lay a fresh bead of sealant, we want the line to come out clean and controlled. This drip-free caulk gun gives us just the right squeeze without overdoing it. It’s lightweight, doesn’t leave messes, and makes it easier on the wrist during long sealing jobs. We might not use fancy pumps or sealant machines—but with this gun and a steady hand, our seams come out looking sharp and watertight.
Stay buckled in
Roof-Work Safety Harness Kit — No matter how simple or quick a job is, we always strap in before working at height. This basic safety harness is the same one we wear on nearly every job, especially when we’re cleaning, resealing, or reattaching gutters on multi-story homes. It’s not about showing off—it’s about making sure we get the work done and go home safe. We don’t cut corners, and that includes safety.
Walk-around check before you climb
After a good rain, we always recommend walking around your home before grabbing a ladder. Take a slow lap around the perimeter and look closely at the ground below the downspouts and splash blocks. If you see dark stains, puddles that weren’t there before, or areas where water is washing out mulch or dirt, chances are your gutters aren’t draining properly. You don’t need a drone or anything fancy—just grab a pair of binoculars and scan the roofline. Look for sagging sections, tilted runs, or joints pulling apart. This simple walk-around gives us (and homeowners) a good idea of what needs tightening, cleaning, or resealing—no climbing until we know what we’re working with.
Tighten hangers every spring
Over time, gutter hangers can work themselves loose—especially after heavy spring storms or from the weight of leftover leaves. Each spring, we make it a point to go gutter by gutter, checking each hanger for movement. With the trough cleared out and dry, we unscrew any loose fasteners, realign the hanger with the original slope line (or chalk a fresh one if needed), and drive in a fresh 2-inch screw right into the rafter tail. This basic maintenance step stops the gradual sagging that causes water to pool or spill over the edge. We don’t use fancy brackets or new gadgets—just solid fasteners, careful spacing, and old-fashioned elbow grease.
Renew seal without removing pieces
Leaky seams happen, especially after a few years of sun, cold, and roof grit sliding through the gutters. The good news is you don’t always have to take the whole system apart to fix it. Once the gutter is cleaned and dry, we brush off any loose grime or old cracked sealant. Then we snip the sealant tip at an angle for better control and press OSI Quad Max right into the seam. A quick swipe with a gloved, damp finger smooths the bead and gives it a watertight seal. No mess, no tear-down, just smart, careful work that saves everyone time and money.
Check downspout brackets
Downspouts often get overlooked, but the brackets that hold them in place take a lot of abuse from wind, water, and lawn care. When we do a maintenance check, we gently tug on every bracket strap. If it wiggles even a little, we swap out the old nail or screw with a fresh stainless-steel zip screw. These grip better and won’t rust out over time. Once the bracket is tight, we dab a bit of sealant over the screw head to block out water and prevent rust stains from dripping down your siding. It’s a small detail, but one that keeps the whole system solid from top to bottom.
Bi-annual tidy-up routine
Twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall—we run a full gutter checkup. In April, we clear out winter grit, rinse the troughs with a garden hose, and make sure no animals have nested in the downspouts. In October, we remove fall leaves and check for any signs of wear before the cold sets in. Both times, we use a magnetic level to check for proper pitch, reseal any seams showing weeping or cracking, and tighten all the fasteners we can reach. No fancy tools here—just ladders, hoses, levels, and a sharp eye. It’s a basic routine, but it keeps your gutters draining clean to the curb year-round.
Ready to keep gutters worry-free all year?
We handle maintenance Monday through Saturday—no overnight surcharges, no gadget upsells, just straightforward tune-ups and the tools to DIY if you’d rather. Call, text, or wave when our dusty blue truck glides past Mount Vernon Market, and we’ll have your drainage dialed before the next afternoon shower.
Shop Gutter Maintenance Tools- Phone: (470) 888 0030
- Address: Dunwoody, GA