The next time there’s a rainy day, resist the urge to curl up on the couch with a good detective novel, and do some investigating for yourself instead. Your gutters are a vital part of protecting your home from the elements, and if you haven’t checked them recently to make sure they haven’t fallen victim to nature’s foul play, it’s time to go out and look for clues. So put on your deerstalker cap, grab your magnifying glass, and let’s go investigating, Sherlock! The game is afoot!
There are many clues to be on the lookout for that are good indications that your gutters may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.
Waterfalls. Water overflowing from your gutters could mean that your gutters are filled with debris and need a good cleaning, but it also may indicate that your gutters are too small and simply can’t handle the amount of water coming from the roof. It may be time to get higher capacity gutters.
Water overshooting your gutters completely. This could mean that debris has built up or that your gutters are too small but it could also be telling you that your gutters were installed incorrectly in the first place.
Leaks. Water may be leaking from cracks that have formed in your gutters or in areas around their seals. Sticks and larger debris or ice in the winter can cause cracks in your gutters which may able to be repaired.
Sagging. This can be caused by age, broken fasteners, heavy debris or water.
Broken fasteners. They can break when gutters become heavy with debris and water or begin to sag.
Gaps. Gutters can pull away from the house or seams may separate due to age, sagging, or poor installation.
Erosion. If your landscaping around your house shows signs of erosion, your gutters are not directing the water away from your house properly. This could be due to overflow or there may be a problem with your downspouts or their installation.
Wood rot. If the wood around your doors or windows shows signs of rot, water is getting to them.
Mildew. Areas that are getting too wet, such as your siding or your foundation may develop mildew.
Rust or stains. If you see rust or stains on your gutters, there are leaks there.
Flooding. Gutter problems are one of the leading causes of foundation cracks that can cause water to leak in and flood your basement.
Pools. If you see water pooling around your house, you gutters are not channeling the water away from your home the way they should.
If you spot any of these clues, your gutters are in need of some attention and should be cleaned and inspected. Neglected gutters can lead to costly home repairs down the line, so a little investment now could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Call GutterPros today and let our professionals help you solve the Mystery of the Faulty Gutters. It’s elementary!