6 COMMON GUTTER PROBLEMS

Rain gutters perform an essential part in protecting your home. Rain gutters channel rain a safe distance from your building, preserving the roof, walls and foundations.

Keeping your rain gutters clear and in good condition with help from Leaf Police MI stops rain from wreaking havoc on your property and will help to prevent water damaging the foundations, leaks appearing and problems with damp.

There are several routine rain gutter complications to look out for that could stop them from functioning optimally and safeguarding your home. These include:

• Clogged Rain Gutters
• Joint Leaks and Holes
• Damaged Gutters
• Bent Rain Gutters
• Improperly Pitched Rain Gutters
• Downspout Problems

Not all properties have gutters, or they can have removed segments or have insufficient gutters installed. If this is the case, new rain gutters should be fitted professionally to ensure they are correctly installed and fit for their function.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged rain gutters are the most frequent gutter issue as rain gutters may be clogged by all sorts of different things. Leaves and other matter than blows onto the roof is often swept into rain gutters. On top of that seeds that either blow in or are deposited by bird droppings could result in seedling sprouting in your rain gutters. As well as animals and birds building their homes.

When detritus starts to build up it could easily cause a blockage which may lead to rain gutter deterioration in addition to damage to your roof and foundations.

Thankfully solving the issue is usually simple and you should broadly avoid the issue from happening with scheduled inspections and proper maintenance. If your gutters are blocked you need to get up there and get rid of the detritus or get a gutter service firm to come and do it for you. And you ideally should be checking and performing any maintenance required twice a year in spring and fall.

Joint Leaks and Holes

Joint leaks and holes are again a fairly common issue, in particular for buildings without seamless rain gutters. Gutters are prone to coming apart at the joins when they get clogged and exposed to more weight.

However, holes and leaks can form in seamless gutters and can also happen where the gutter has corroded or more routinely where hardware has degraded.

Mending gutter joints is best done with rivets as opposed to glue or sealant as rivets will last longer and be more effective. It’s possible to do this yourself with the right tools or you can call in the professionals.

Loose or Broken Gutters

Rain Gutters could easily come away from the wall over time. This happens for various reasons including clogging and ice dams. If you notice your gutters have come away from the building or been impaired at all this is a issue that should be mended as quickly as possible as inefficient rain gutters can have serious implications for your building.

Making sure you inspect gutters regularly can make sure you notice any loose or damaged sections before they become a problem. Making repairs will revolve around the problem but accessories may generally be either tightened or replaced and broken sections of gutter may be taken out and replaced either by a professional or you can do this yourself if you feel confident.

Sagging Rain Gutters

Bending warping

Rain Gutters may easily start to bend or droop over time especially if they are not maintained. And it’s not just the gutter itself that could start to deteriorate, so can the fixings used to install them.

This could result in gutters coming loose and losing effectiveness as water is no longer caught and channelled away.

Broadly speaking once rain gutters start to bend and droop the damaged lengths should be replaced. You can either do this yourself if you have the time and the correct tools alternatively you may hire a professional gutter service firm.

Incorrectly Installed Rain Gutters

On top of needing to be unblocked and well-maintained rain gutters also need to be pitched properly so that they can drain. This means they require an adequate slope to ensure the rain can flow completely.

Ideally gutters should pitch roughly ¼ of an inch for every 10 feet. Too much and the gutters will not operate at full capacity, too little and rain could gather and remain stagnant resulting in insects, or pour out causing additional problems for the dwelling.

If rain gutters have been badly installed they need to be adjusted to ensure they are properly pitched and are able to work efficiently. This may be a tricky task so might be best left to a reputable gutter maintenance company.

Downspout Problems

Downpipes are a critical part of your gutter installation, they need to be kept free of debris and free-flowing just like the rest of your gutter installation. Downpipes also should be properly directed away from the base of your home as otherwise, you can find rain pooling at the foundations leading to basement flooding and potentially structural damage.

Rain gutters are designed to convey rainfall away from your building however they may only do this when the downpipes are correctly installed and running freely. If you suspect your downspout may be blocked you should clean it or have it cleaned immediately and check that water is being channelled a sufficient distance away from the foundations of your property.

Gutter maintenance, inspection and repairs can be dangerous and you should always make sure you are safe. making sure you have appropriate PPE is strongly advised and you should always ensure you have some holding a ladder if you are using one.

Rain gutter maintenance could be time consuming and unappealing resulting in it often being put off however, this could result in significant problems. Make sure you schedule gutter inspections and maintenance to protect both your roof and the foundations of your home. Hiring a gutter installation firm may feel expensive but may save you time and money in the long run.