5 Gutter Problems Every Homeowner Should Know and How to Avoid Them

Every homeowner wants to safeguard their homes and, at the same time, beautify it. They would invest time, money, and effort for any home improvements. As long as it would make their homes more beautiful and comfortable, they would go for it. However, most homeowners tend to neglect one of the most critical aspects of their home, the gutters. 

The first thing that crosses to mind when we think of home maintenance or improvements might be re-roofing or painting the house with new colors. Most homeowners don’t pay too much attention to their home gutters unless something goes wrong. 

Unfortunately, the damages can cause a lot of troubles and headaches when the gutter tears down. Before anything damaging could happen, here are some gutter problems you should know and how to prevent them. 

Clogged Gutters

It might be common for homeowners not to mind so much about the leaves falling on the roof of their homes. They are not a big deal until some problems arise, and you find out that your gutters have been clogged up with leaves and other types of debris. 

Clogged gutters may seem like a small issue until you discover how much its silent damage would cost. When your gutters are clogged, water cannot flow properly, which can add excessive weight to the gutter system. Thus, your gutters and roof would be damaged, causing cracks and other problems, such as leaks and molds. 

To avoid gutters being clogged up, you can do regular checking and cleaning, especially during spring and fall. But it would also depend on whether you are living in a treed environment or not. Cleaning out gutters now and then might also wear you out. 

If your house is located in an area where there are few or no trees at all, you can check and clean it at least once a year. In case you live somewhere with moderate trees, you can do it at least twice a year. However, if you are in a heavily treed environment, you might need to check and clean the gutters as often as once or twice a week.

Sagging Gutters

Sagging gutters are one of the most obvious signs that the gutters on your home are not functional. When gutters sag, they create a spot where water can flow downward in two different directions. As a result, the water would spill outside the gutter and on the ground, which can result in erosion, leak into the foundation and flooded basements. 

There are many causes for gutters to sag, but one is poor installation. If you want to avoid this kind of problem, make sure you install the right-sized gutters, downspouts, and elbows. Since clogged gutters would also lead to sagging, you must keep your gutters clear of any blockage-forming debris.

Improperly Sloped Gutters

The gutter slope, or pitch, is the amount by which gutters slant downward to manipulate the passage of water flow. There are problems you might encounter if your gutters are improperly sloped.

Without enough gutter slope, water will only accumulate in your gutters and will not flow in the downspouts. On the other hand, too much incline can cause water to splash outside the gutters, especially during heavy rains. If you want to prevent this problem, the ideal rule is to slope the gutters at a quarter-inch for every 10 feet. 

Proper installation is essential to avoid this problem. If you want to fix your improperly sloped gutters, it is recommended that you hire a professional to work on it. These people have the experience, skills, and tools to fix the gutter slope on any home. 

Leaked Gutters

Gutters work to direct the water flow from your windows, foundation, and other parts of your home. But when they are clogged, loosely fastened, and improperly sloped, they would leak and won’t be able to do their job. 

Leaking gutters can result in water pooling near the foundation of your house. When it happens, the foundation will crack over time or loosen the soil. Thus, it would also compromise the structural integrity of your home. 

While most homeowners resolve leaked gutters with immediate repair, a better alternative is to prevent it. One way to prevent your gutters from leaking is to install a gutter protection system. You can protect your gutters with mesh screens, perforated metal covers, and other gutter guards to prevent debris from clogging up, causing leaks and holes. 

Damaged Gutters

Gutters are vulnerable to bad weather, such as heavy rains and storms. If a bad storm hits a branch and it falls on your house, your gutters are more likely to be damaged. 

Regular checking and cleaning might not be enough to protect your gutters from these unexpected disasters. But what you can do is to secure a recovery plan, in case it happens to you. One way to go about it is to contact reliable disaster services, such as Storm Pros. They have an experienced team to help restore your home if it is severely damaged by natural disasters and harsh weather conditions. 

Takeaway

Most homeowners do not give gutters much importance until some problems come up. One gutter problem could lead to another until every part of the home is affected by the damages. If you don’t want to encounter any trouble associated with your gutters, the first key is to be proactive by investing in your gutter’s maintenance.