As a homeowner, it often seems like there’s no end to the problems you have to deal with. One common issue you can encounter, especially in fall and winter, is your gutters clogging and starting to overflow whenever it rains. While clogged gutters may not seem like that much of a concern, they can be a much bigger problem than most people realize.
Why Clogged Gutters Are Such a Concern
By collecting water that drains off the roof and channeling it away from the house through the downspouts, gutters play a crucial role in protecting soffits and fascia, siding and a home’s foundation. Overflowing gutters can lead to wooden fascia boards and soffit panels rotting and cracking or cause the paint on them to peel. Rotting fascia boards are especially a concern, as the fascia is what the gutters are connected to. If the boards get too rotten, the gutters can fall off or start sagging to where they no longer have enough slope for the water to drain properly. Overflowing gutters can also stain the siding or cause the paint or finish to start peeling. If water gets behind the siding, it can lead to the wooden sheets on the wall rotting.
The biggest concern with clogged gutters that frequently overflow is that it leads to water pooling next to the house, which can potentially cause significant damage to the foundation. If the backfill soil that helps support the foundation walls gets overly waterlogged, it can put so much pressure on the concrete that it cracks. Ensuring water doesn’t pool next to the house is also crucial for preventing the foundation from potentially settling or shifting. If the foundation settles, it will often cause drywall to crack above door and window frames or lead to doors and windows not being able to fully open or close.
Thorough Gutter Cleaning
The first step in overcoming clogged gutters is to thoroughly clean them out. Clogs most commonly happen because of leaves, dirt, pine needles and shingle granules getting stuck inside the gutters and creating a dam that blocks the water from flowing downhill to the downspouts. Debris can also block the hole between the gutter and the downspout. Cleaning your gutters in the fall after all of the trees have lost their leaves and again in the spring is an easy way to prevent clogs.
To properly clean your gutters, you’ll obviously need to use a ladder to climb up to the edge of the roof. You’ll then need to pull all of the debris out by hand. If there’s a significant amount of dirt and mud in the gutters, you’ll need to use a hose and spray nozzle to wash it all out. If you’re not extremely careful and don’t take the necessary safety precautions, climbing up to the roof to clean the gutters carries a risk of injury or even death, especially if your house has more than one story. This risk is why most people hire a gutter cleaning service to handle the task.
Installing Gutter Guards
Installing gutter guards is an effective solution for preventing clogs and reducing how often the gutters need to be cleaned. There are several different types of guards, but they all serve the same purpose of preventing debris from stopping the water from draining. Each type has some pros and cons in terms of cost, effectiveness and longevity. Some types also work better than others at keeping out certain types of debris. For instance, brush guards work well at keeping out leaves, but pine needles can get caught in the brushes and still lead to the gutter clogging.
Brush guards and foam guards are the least expensive option. Both types just slide into the gutters, meaning they’re something you could install yourself if you’re comfortable climbing up to the roof. Foam guards are more effective than brush guards at keeping out leaves and debris, but they also deteriorate quickly and usually only last a few years. Brush guards last a bit longer, but you need to clean them every so often to remove the debris that gets trapped in the brushes.
Micro-mesh and mesh screen guards are more effective at keeping debris out of the gutters, but they also need to be cleaned occasionally and are more difficult to install. Solid or reverse curve guards are the most effective option, as they fully block off the top of the gutters so that only water can get inside. The drawback is that they are quite a bit more expensive than the other options and should always be installed by a trained professional.
Inspections and Checking the Gutter Slope
If your gutters keep overflowing and aren’t clogged, it usually means that there’s a sag or that they don’t have sufficient slope for the water to quickly drain out. A sag or belly in a gutter is something you’ll usually be able to spot easily from the ground. This issue is something that a gutter service can often fix by loosening some of the fasteners and then lifting that section back up and refastening it to the fascia. If the gutter is sagging because part of it is bent, the only solution is to replace it.
Insufficient slope is more difficult to spot and to fix. If a gutter service determines that there isn’t enough slope, they’ll need to loosen most or all of the gutter and then lift up the far end opposite from the downspout. When facing this type of problem, it’s important to consider the age and condition of the gutter. While replacing your gutters will be more expensive, it’s worth it if they’ve started to rust or have numerous leaks.
Addressing Gutter Leaks
Leaky gutters are also a concern, as they can cause the same types of problems as clogged, overflowing gutters. Standard gutters can be prone to developing leaks at the joints or seams where the different pieces connect. This is why many homeowners opt to install seamless gutters. Seamless gutters are a single piece that’s cut to the correct length, meaning there is a much lower chance of them leaking since there are no joints. It’s easy to fix a gutter that’s leaking from a seam by resealing the seam with silicone. If water is leaking out of the cap at the end of the gutter near the downspout, the solution is also to reseal around the cap.
Older gutters can develop leaks as a result of the metal rusting through or them getting damaged. Sealing up the holes is an effective solution if there are only a few minor leaks. If there’s extensive rust or numerous larger leaks in most of your gutters, replacing them is the smarter decision.
Set Your Gutters Up for Success Today
At Bluewater Exteriors, our experienced team is ready to help you tackle any issues with your home’s gutters. From gutter cleaning and gutter guards to seamless gutter installation, we have the professional solutions you need to address clogs, leaks and other problems. To schedule service in Foley, AL, or any of the surrounding areas, contact us today.
