Water spills from the sides. If you notice water spilling down the sides of your gutters like a waterfall, it's a telltale sign that you've clogged the rain gutters. The blockage can force water through the sides of the gutter, resulting in costly water-related damage. Clogged gutters will cause water to accumulate and settle on the roof.
That water will seep into your home and damage your shingles, roof and more. It can also cause the gutter system to deform and become heavy before it detaches from the structure of your house and takes part of the roof with it. If you see waterfalls rushing down the sides of your gutters, it's a telltale sign that the gutters are clogged. When gutters are clogged, it forces rainwater to reorient and spill over the top of the gutters.
From there, rainwater will begin to stagnate, leading to algae growth, leaks, and structural problems. If you notice rainwater spills during storms, it's time to call your gutter contractor and get to the root cause. The last common sign that gutters are clogged is stain marks on the coating under the gutters. If there is water in the gutters with debris, that water can get very dirty.
As water slowly seeps through the gutters, it can start to stain the side of your house, leaving brown or black spots. In addition, standing water in a gutter channel can cause rust problems. If gutters rust, you may notice brown or red rust spots on your home siding. Rusty gutters should be replaced to ensure they can hold and carry water and to prevent staining of your home's linings.
Clogged gutters are a safe haven for unwanted pests, birds and rodents. Debris and decomposing leaves create heat and moisture, making gutters the perfect nesting spot. Stains on the lining or on the downspouts and gutters are a telltale sign that the gutters have overflowed due to a blockage. However, cracks are often a telltale sign that your gutters are facing increased damage or blockages that can lead to larger gutter problems down the road.
Prepare your gutters before any anticipated storm and use gutter guards to keep leaves and debris out. Otherwise, debris such as leaves and twigs can clog the gutter system and cause potential damage to your home and landscape, not to mention the gutters themselves. The number one sign that the gutters are clogged is that water is spilling down the sides or edges of the gutters. Leaving aside the impact of clogged gutters in your roof, other damage to your home could include the walls, as the gutters separate from the structure and, as we will see below, its foundations.
This doesn't mean you'll never climb a ladder again, although even gutters with the best protections need to be cleaned every two years. Fallen gutters on their own aren't particularly damaging to your property as a whole, but as they begin to move away from your roof, the gutters could come off and bring with them some of the outside of your home. The most critical time of year to clean gutters is near the end of autumn, when most of the leaves have fallen. If the gutters are made of lower quality materials or if they are allowed to sag long enough, the damage will be excessive and the gutters may need to be replaced or repaired.
Understanding common signs that gutters are clogged and that it's time to perform gutter maintenance is critical to preventing problems from escalating. Installing K Guard gutter guards is a great way to reduce the amount of debris that accumulates in gutters and, in turn, reduce the frequency with which they need to be cleaned. To protect your home, make sure you clean the gutters at least twice a year to prevent them from clogging once in the fall and once in the spring. .
Leave a Comment