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The top of our downpipe has disconnected from the gutter in last night's rain. On closer inspection it looks as if the gutter has rusted at the connection.
Is this something we can patch or are we going to need to replace the gutter? It looks like one long peice of gutter along the house, so I think we would need to do the whole section?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @sambear. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about guttering.
What you’re dealing with is the dropper outlet, which is the small section that sits inside the gutter and connects to the top of your downpipe. That dropper has completely rusted away, and the gutter around it is also in poor condition. There is a substantial hole, but it may still be possible to patch it for now.
If you’re comfortable with DIY gutter repairs, you could install a new dropper outlet and connect it to the downpipe, then patch the rusted section of the gutter. A gutter professional could also cut out that section and replace it, assuming the rest of the gutter is still in good shape. Before deciding, it’s a good idea to inspect the full length of the gutter to see how widespread the rust is. If the rest of it is similarly worn, replacing the whole section might save ongoing issues. Keep in mind that because this involves stormwater connections, a licensed drainage specialist is usually required, so you may want to consider enlisting a professional for the repair.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
