Are Your Gutters Leaking?
Gutters are very important because – despite being simple and relatively inexpensive – they protect valuable home components, like the roof, foundation and windows. Maintaining 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 house. Here, we’ve provided a few signs that you can be on the lookout for (without hiring a roofer) to see if you have a gutter leaking.
How to Identify a Leaking Gutter
There are many signs that suggest a gutter leak, even if you don’t actually see water dripping. You can do a visual inspection from the lawn to determine if the signs of a leaking gutter are present.
Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Visible Flaws – When the gutters pull away from the roof, it stresses the connections. Cracks can be caused by poor installation, low-quality materials, damage or general wear and tear. Cracks in the gutter channel or seeing any section of them pulling away from the roofing might not be causing a leak just yet, but these things will definitely result in issues. Having these defects fixed is a lot more affordable than replacing gutters or any of the potential damages a leak can cause.
Pooling Water – If rain is puddling around your house, it’s a possible sign that a gutter leak is present. But you should also check pipes, water spigots and any water source that is near your house, just to be sure.
Pooling water by your home can be especially harmful for the foundation. It’s also bad for landscaping and might cause your windows to leak.
Dripping – One of the most obvious signs of a gutter leak is a drip, or several drips.
A drip from your rain gutter indicates a clog, but if it’s coming from the bottom and it isn’t overflowing, there is a hidden leak. These tiny leaks will happen if a fastener has gotten loose (see the next item below).
Visible Fasteners – Seeing nails and screws working their way out of the rain gutters means a leak will begin soon, if it hasn’t already. The area where the nail or screw fits in becomes a new area where water can get out if the fastener works its way out.
Sometimes the solution is as simple as refastening them, but it might also be necessary to seal the hole so no more water can leak from the edge of the screw or nail, even after it is back in place. You can purchase this type of sealant, or let a gutter repair company apply it.
Water Stains or Rust – Water leaves behind evidence, especially when it is constantly or frequently there. Dark water stains appear because dirt and other materials stick to the wet surface better than on a dry one.
Rust is the product of nearly constant moisture, and the more severe sign you’ll notice after you see water stains. Most water stains can be cleaned away and the gutters fixed, but if your gutters are rusty, they definitely have to be repaired or be replaced.
Unexplained Home Damage – If there hasn’t recently been a severe storm, and you haven’t had a tree limb fall on top of your roof, but you’re beginning to notice paint flaking, cracking in the foundation around the downspouts or walkways, rotting wood on your porch or deck, or moldy window sills, you may have a gutter leak.
These are all signs that water has been leaking from somewhere it shouldn’t be. They also are related to aging building materials, so all of these factors need to be taken into account when inspecting gutters for leaks.
Other gutter issues…
Not all gutter issues lead to home repairs. If you see these common gutter issues, a leak may not be the issue.
Rain Overflow – This issue is typically an easy fix. It’s probably not a gutter leak, but a clog that should be cleaned out. You can do this or hire a Maineville gutter cleaning service – even a general handyman – to clean out the gutters.
Animal Nests – A small bird, squirrel, chipmunk can quickly build a nest in your gutters or in your downspout, which can also cause overflow. Once the nest has been there a while, you will start to see some of the above signs of leaks – like rust or puddling – if you don’t get rid of it.
Trees & Plants – A tree can take root in your gutter with minimal debris present. While it may be little now, a tree sapling will sprout strong roots that can damage aluminum gutters before you even know it.
Professional Gutter Repair
Any of these easy-to-see signs indicate there are issues with your gutter that have to be addressed immediately. By checking your gutters and downspouts, you can tell if there’s a cause for concern.
This is when a gutter service in Maineville can be helpful. They can distinguish whether gutter replacement is necessary or if you can get by with repairs to lengthen the life of your gutters. Sometimes, basic gutter cleaning is the only thing that’s needed.
Some homeowners choose to do simple gutter care and maintenance, such as gutter cleaning, on their own. Although it is time consuming and dangerous, they are willing to complete the project a couple of times a year to save some money.
However, any job beyond simple gutter cleaning should be left to professionals.
Start by finding a gutter specialist with excellent customer reviews like Discount Gutter Services. Then let us do a full inspection to correctly diagnose the issue. We offer free inspections for potential customers.
If there are repairs to be made, or if we believe that it’s time to install new gutters, you can trust us to get the job done. Our gutter repair service will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run!