What to Do if Your Gutters are Leaking

The gutters on your home play an important role in keeping your home and landscaping in good condition. If your gutters are leaking, every time it rains, your property is at risk for damage. It is important to learn more about what causes gutters to leak so that you can keep an eye on yours. Exploring the different prevention methods also ensures that you know how to keep your gutter system in good condition.

Common Causes of Leaky Gutters

Knowing what can lead to leaky gutters makes it easier to prevent the issue. By periodically inspecting your gutters, you’ll be able to identify when it’s time to contact a professional to fix any leaking gutters.

• Gutter system clogs
• Loose gutter fasteners
• Improper slope
• Gutter holes and cracks
• Improper gutter seals
• Old age

How To Handle Leaking Gutters

The first step is to have a professional do a thorough inspection if you suspect that your gutters are leaking. They know what to look for to find areas that are leaking. Some leaks are obvious, and you can see them from the ground. However, others are more subtle and require a trained eye to spot them. Since even the smallest leak can be worrisome, you want to ensure that they find and repair all of them.

A professional will usually remove any debris in your gutters and then use a water hose to run water through them. This allows them to see how water travels through your gutters. They will be able to spot any abnormalities that could require attention, including both leaks and clogs.

The next step is for them to patch any of the small holes that they identify using a silicone caulk or gutter sealant. If there are any separated seams present, the professional will make sure to clean the area and then reattach or reseal the seams. Depending on how bad the separation is, this could require using screws or a gutter sealant.

In certain instances, entire sections of the gutter might be compromised. Problems like extensive rust or significant holes typically require the expertise of a professional to replace the entire section. This is the best way to ensure the area is no longer leaking.

Consequences of Leaky Gutters

If you have any gutter leaks, this could cause a number of issues to your home and property. One of the biggest problems is water damage. Water can start to pool around your home and get into the structures that are below ground. Over time, this water can cause issues like structural deterioration and damage.

If you have a crawlspace or basement, leaky gutters can do a number of them. The water can eventually get into these spaces causing damage to everything in your basement, as well as the growth of mold.

Your siding may suffer when your gutters are leaking. The water that should be in your gutters starts to cascade down the siding. This could lead to the siding becoming rotted, discolored, and warped.

Roof damage can occur as a result of water building up on your home’s roof. Over time, the shingles, wood, and fascia of your roof can decay and deteriorate.

When water leaks from your gutters and accumulates around the foundation of your home, this could cause erosion of the soil that it is up against. Over time, the stability of your foundation can weaken. As time passes, further damage, such as cracking or shifting the foundation is possible.

One of the main benefits of gutters during the wintertime is directing water from your roof so that it cannot sit and turn into ice. If gutters are leaking, this could cause the development of ice dams. These can cause a lot of damage to your roof and your gutters as the frozen water thaws.

Some insects love stagnant water. When your gutters are leaking, this can lead to pools of stagnant water around your home. Mosquitoes and other pests will flood the area and can become a major nuisance for you and your family.

Your landscaping can also take a hit from leaky gutters. The water can start to erode your lawn and cause damage to various landscape elements, such as your flower beds.

With excess moisture comes the growth of mildew and mold. This could pose a risk to people in your home, especially those with pre-existing allergies and respiratory illnesses. These issues can also damage your property over time,

Preventing Leaky Gutters

There are several ways to reduce the risk of leaky gutters at your home. Talk to a professional about having routine maintenance. They will let you know how often you should schedule it. During gutter maintenance, there are several tasks that a professional might complete.

They will make sure that your gutters are clean and free from debris. This helps to reduce the risk of clogs that can result in leaks and overflowing water. If you have any tree branches on your property that are hanging into your gutters, they might recommend you talk to a landscaper about taking care of these so that they can no longer reach your gutters.

Experienced professionals know how to ensure that your slope and pitch are proper. This ensures that the water in your gutters is able to flow to the downspouts to prevent any pooling. While they are taking care of this, it is common to look at how secure your gutters are. If they are sagging or loose, they can make the repairs right then to ensure they have a secure attachment to your home.

Checking the gutters for leaks is important. A professional will look for signs like rust, small leaks, and corrosion. These are telltale signs that a leak might be present. As part of this process, professionals will check your downspouts too. They will examine them for proper connections and to make sure that they are clean.

To reduce how dirty your gutters get, you might want to talk to a professional about gutter screens or guards. These prevent debris from getting into your gutters and accumulating.

You should also make sure that your roof is in good condition. Since your gutters and roof work together, it is critical that both are in good condition to help maintain each other.

Good gutters are worth their weight in gold in Alpha. We have been serving the area since 1973, helping homeowners to protect their investments by keeping up with maintenance and repairs. When your gutters are leaking, or having any other problem, this ultimately affects the integrity of your home. Our experienced staff will help you to determine the problem and provide the proper fix to keep your home in great condition and looking beautiful.

Contact Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding today to reschedule your next gutter repair and maintenance session.