Are Your Gutters Leaking?
Rain Gutters are very important because – although they are simple and relatively inexpensive – they protect valuable home investments, like the roof, foundation and windows. Caring for and cleaning rain gutters is an easy way to help prevent your home from damages.
And it’s really much simpler than you probably think.
Spotting a leaking gutter early can protect an entire home. Below, we’ve provided a few indicators that you can be on the lookout for (without calling a roof specialist) to determine if there is a leak in your gutters.
How to Identify a Leaking Gutter
There are several warning signs that suggest leaking gutters, even if you don’t physically see water dripping. You can do a visual inspection from the lawn to decide if the signs of a leaking gutter are present.
Here are some things to look for:
Obvious Flaws – When gutters start to pull away from the house, it causes stress on the fasteners. Cracks can be caused by poor installation, low quality materials, damage or age. Cracks in the gutter or seeing any section of them pulling away from the roofing might not be causing a leak just yet, but will ultimately result in issues. Getting these defects repaired is a lot more affordable than gutter replacement or any of the potential damages a leak can lead to.
Pooling Water – If rain is puddling around your home, it’s a possible sign that a gutter leak is present. You should also check pipes, water spigots and any water source that is near your home, just to be sure.
Pooling water by your house can be especially harmful for the foundation. It’s also bad for landscaping and can cause your windows to leak.
Dripping – One of the most obvious signs of a leaking gutter is a drip, or several drips.
A drip coming from your gutter is likely a clog, but if it’s coming from the bottom of the gutter and it isn’t overflowing, there is an unseen leak. These minor leaks can happen if a fastener has gotten loose (see the next item on our list).
Visible Fasteners – Finding nails and screws wiggling their way out of the rain gutters likely means a leak is going to begin soon, if it hasn’t already. The hole where the nail or screw fits becomes a new area where water can get out if the fastener starts to fall out.
Sometimes the solution is as easy as refastening them, but it may also be important to seal the hole so no more water can escape from around the screw or the nail, even after it is back in place. You can buy this sealant, or let a gutter repair company put it on.
Water Stains or Rust – Moisture leaves behind evidence, especially if it is constantly or frequently there. Darker water stains appear because dirt and other materials adhere to the moist surface better than on a drier one.
Rust is the product of nearly constant moisture, and the more extreme sign you’ll notice after you see water stains. Most water stains on gutters can be cleaned and the gutters repaired, but if gutters are rusty, they will definitely need to be repaired or be replaced.
Unexplained Home Damage – If there hasn’t recently been a severe storm, and you haven’t had a limb fall on your roof, but you’re beginning to notice paint flaking, cracking in the foundation or walkways, rotting wood on your patio or deck, or moldy window sills, you might have leaking gutters.
These are all indications that water has been leaking from somewhere it shouldn’t. They also go hand in hand with older building materials, so all factors should be considered when inspecting gutters for leaks.
Other gutter issues…
Not every gutter issue leads to major repairs. If you see these common gutter issues, a leak may not be the problem.
Rain Overflow – This issue is a pretty simple fix. It’s likely not a gutter leak, but a clog that should be removed. You can do this yourself or hire a Anderson gutter cleaning service – or even a general handyman – to clean them out.
Animal Nests – A bird, squirrel, chipmunk can quickly build a nest in your rain gutters or downspout, which can also cause overflow. Once the nest has been there for a little while, you will start seeing some of the above signs of leaks – like rust or pooling – if you don’t get rid of the nest.
Trees & Plants – A tree can easily take root in your rain gutter with small amounts of debris present. While it may be small now, a tree sapling will sprout strong roots that can destroy aluminum gutters before you know it.
Professional Gutter Repair
Any of these visible signs mean there are issues with your rain gutter that need to be addressed right away. By quickly checking all of your gutters and downspouts, you can tell if there’s a cause for concern.
This is where a professional gutter service in Anderson can be of great help. They can distinguish whether gutter replacement is necessary or if you can get by with repairs to lengthen the life of your home’s gutters. Sometimes, gutter cleaning is the only thing that’s needed.
Some homeowners choose to do basic gutter care, such as gutter cleaning, on their own. Although it is time consuming and somewhat dangerous, they are willing to take on the project a couple of times a year to save a little money.
However, any job beyond simple gutter cleaning is best left to the professionals.
Start by hiring a gutter specialist with good customer reviews like AllClean Anderson Gutters. Then let us do a full inspection to accurately determine the problem. We offer free inspections for new customers.
If there are any repairs to be made, or if we feel that it’s time to install new gutters, you can trust us to get the job done. Our gutter repair service can save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run!