There are some telltale signs that your gutters are overflowing. One of course, is that you are seeing it happen first hand. Pools of water under your gutters, discolored siding, rotting facia, and damage to landscaping are other signs of an overflow issue. But why exactly is this happening? There isn’t one clear answer. You will need to uncover the source of the problem in order to do the right fix. It isn’t difficult and the information below should help.
4 Reasons Your Gutters Could Be Overflowing
1. Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
The first and most obvious cause of overflowing gutters is that they are clogged. You will need to check to see if leaves, twigs and other debris are jamming your gutters preventing water from freely flowing to the downspout. Sometimes gutters are free of debris, but there is a clog within the downspout itself. Once you have determined that your gutters are clear, try aiming the water from a hose into the gutter near the downspout to check of the downspout is clogged.
2. The Gutters Are Not Properly Installed or Secured
If your gutters and downspouts are free of clogs, the next thing to check is the pitch of the gutter. When a gutter is off pitch it can prevent proper water flow. If the gutter is pitching away from the house, is heading towards a downspout too steeply, or not pitched at all, your gutters can overflow during a heavy rain. Proper pitch can be difficult to assess, so you might want to contact a gutter professional for their opinion.
3. The Wrong Sized Gutters
So your gutters are clean and seem to be in working order, but you still have a water issue. Maybe you have the wrong size gutters. When it comes to gutters, one size does not fit all. Gutters come in different widths and it’s important that your home uses the right width to handle the pitch and square footage of your roof. Too narrow gutters will cause an overflow. A gutter professional can take measurements to ensure that your gutter system is the right size for your needs.
4. Not Enough Downspouts
A downspout is meant to move the water from the gutters away from the house. When you don’t have enough downspouts, the rain has nowhere to go but up and over your gutters. Again, this is something a gutter professional can help you determine.
Proper Gutter Maintenance Can Prevent Water Overflow Issues
To keep your gutters in good working order, we recommend a yearly professional inspection and routine gutter cleaning 2 to 4 times a year. A professional’s eye and experience can make all the difference.
If you live in the Bergen County NJ or Rockland County NY area and are in need of gutter cleaning, gutter maintenance, gutter repair, gutter covers or gutter installation, contact us for a free estimate.
Related Articles
When Is the Best Time to Have Your Gutters Cleaned? INSERT LINK
Protect Your Landscaping with the Right Sized Gutters
What Happens If Gutters Are Not Cleaned?
