The Best Gutter Sealants You Can Buy At Home Depot, Based On Reviews

If you're concerned about your leaky gutters but can't afford to replace them, gutter sealant may be the answer. Gutters start leaking for a number of reasons. Extreme weather conditions, poor maintenance, and sagging or sloping gutters that pool water are all prime causes of the corrosion, rust, and loose joints that can cause leaks. While lugging out your ladder is always a bit of a hassle, applying gutter sealant is a relatively easy and inexpensive process that helps create a waterproof barrier along your gutter's seams and joints. Although there are countless waterproof sealants out there, Home Depot has four products that reviewers highly recommend.

There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a sealant for your leaky gutter. Silicone sealant is ideal, because of its durability and weather resistance. Silicone also offers flexibility, which is especially important if you have metal gutters because they will expand and contract as the temperature fluctuates. Acrylic caulk is cheaper but doesn't offer the same flexibility. It's also water resistant, not waterproof, which means it won't hold up over time when used in a super soggy spot like your gutters. Whether you have metal or vinyl gutters, make sure you pick a sealant that is compatible with the material. And, to avoid having to frequently repeat the sealing process, instead of opting for the cheapest quick-fix sealant you can find, choose a long-lasting product that will hold up even during the rainy season.

Over 500 customers gave DAP Extreme Stretch Premium Crackproof Elastomeric Sealant a five-star rating, calling it flexible, strong, and easy to use. Available from Home Depot for $8.48 per tube, the bestselling sealant is one of the highest-rated products we could find for sealing your gutters. Made from a combination of polyurethane and acrylic latex, the sealant is capable of stretching up to 600% which makes it a good choice if you live in an area with frequent fluxes in temperature or for sealing your gutter corners or other joints that move frequently. The DAP formulation is mold and mildew resistant, which is another quality you should consider if you don't clean your gutters frequently.

Several reviewers commented on the powerful adhesive quality of this sealant, appreciating that it stays in place wherever you put it. DAP says the product takes 24 hours to cure fully, although several users suggested that you'll need to work more quickly because of how fast it dries. Many reviews mentioned how easy the product is to clean up, off either your fingers or tools like the Silverdew Silicone Caulking Finishing Scraper from Amazon. Only a few people were disappointed with the product. Their primary concern was that it yellows over time. This DAP silicone sealant is only available in white, although it can be painted with latex or oil-based paints after curing. A clear product may be a better option if you have dark gutters.

OSI Paintable Clear Caulk Sealant for Gutters promises to work on aluminum, galvanized metal, and vinyl gutters and downspouts thanks to a permanently flexible seal. Made of resin and polymers, the product cures to a rubbery finish that helps keep water inside your gutters. Over 200 customers gave it a five-star rating, describing the formula as sticky and pliable. Thanks to its viscosity, users recommend applying this sealant along seals and around any screws or nails used to hold your gutters or downspouts in place. Several called it the best gutter sealant they've ever used, and many appreciate how easy it is to apply, although OSI cautions that you shouldn't use tools or smear the caulk if you want to get the best results.

You'll also need to prepare your gutters before using sealant to avoid some of the adhesion problems experienced by a few reviewers. Just a small amount of dirt or debris can interfere with getting a tight seal, so make sure you give your gutters a hard scrub before applying this product. Along with thoroughly drying the surface, pick a clear stretch of weather before using it. One of the few complaints about this product is that it can take up to 14 days to fully cure. Choose another product if you live in an especially humid or wet area. You should also avoid this product if you have copper gutters.

Whether you buy a single tube or manage to get your hands on a quart of Amerimax Home Products FlashMate Clear Flashing Sealant, users say you'll be getting a good deal on a reliable product. Available for $7.24 per 10-ounce tube, FlashMate is the least expensive gutter sealant product sold at Home Depot. (You'll spend nearly twice as much purchasing it from Walmart.) Close to 200 reviewers gave it a five-star rating, appreciating how easy it is to use especially on outdoor projects. This sealant is another flexible silicone option. It's capable of adhering to metal or vinyl, making it a suitable choice no matter what your gutters are made from.

FlashMate says the mildew proof product is low odor and is a volatile organic compound (VOC) compliant formulation, but several reviewers called this product a smelly one. However, many appreciated the extreme durability, with one calling it "impervious to the elements." Although it can be applied in any weather condition, including under standing water, users say the formula takes a long time to cure. This is another product that will give you the best results when you make sure your gutters are thoroughly cleaned and dried before applying it.

Silicone sealant doesn't just work wonders on your gutters. It's also excellent for other outdoor improvement projects including weatherproofing doors and windows. Although only a few people specifically mentioned using DAP Ultra Clear All Purpose Waterproof Sealant on their gutters, over 1,100 reviewers gave the super flexible product a five-star rating. Unlike others on our list, this gutter sealant is made from a synthetic rubber that users say dries to an almost invisible finish. It's available from Home Depot in two different sizes. If you only need to seal a few small cracks, pick up the 5-ounce tube for $10.98. Otherwise, invest in a 10-ounce tube for $13.98, along with a caulk gun like the drip-free Newborn 930-GTD Octogun from Amazon, a bestseller that comes with a scraper and plug.

This sealant gets especially high praise for creating a super strong and durable seal on a wide variety of materials, including vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized metals. It goes on thick, and a few users did warn that you'll need to work fast because of how quickly it forms a skin and starts curing. Others cautioned that the product has a strong and unpleasant smell. This won't be much of an issue when you're working outside on your gutters, but for interior projects remember to properly ventilate the space. You should still prep your gutters before getting started, but DAP says this rubber sealant can adhere to wet or damp surfaces.