Clogged Gutters and Overflowing Water

Have you ever seen a gutter overflowing with water during a rainstorm? Gutters overflowing with water is a sign that the gutter is not functioning properly. It often indicates that debris is creating a clog or blockage, and the water cannot drain properly. Many folks don’t realize that blockages can cause damage to a building, and it is important to fix minor repairs before those turn into much larger issues. Having a properly functioning gutter is critical for a building, since gutters help protect many components of a structure. The only benefit of a clogged gutter is that birds can find nesting materials and take bird baths. LOL! We had a customer with a waterfall coming out of her gutters. We were able to remove a piece of shingle that had clogged the gutters. This was a simple fix, but if the customer had waited – this minor repair could have turned into roof and structural damage down the road. We included the video below - we wanted to share some info on clogged gutters in this blog.

Where Do Blockages Occur?

Blockages or clogs can occur in any area of a gutter. The trough could have obstructions from leaves, trees, roofing material, dirt, a ball accidentally thrown on the roof, a bird’s nest, or even a dead animal. The hole in the drainpipe or downspout could also have that material trapped, which could interfere with water flow.  Oftentimes, the drain’s sediment filter, which is designed to catch debris and sits in the drainpipe opening, could be clogged with various organic or roofing materials. If your downspouts do not have a sediment filter or a leaf strainer, one should be installed. Occasionally, the drainpipe itself can experience blockages. Blockages can occur at any location of the drainpipe, though most frequently clogs occur at either end of the pipe or at the bends. When a drainpipe blockage is at either end of the pipe, it is easy to clear. When the blockage occurs somewhere between the pipes' two openings, the clearing may involve snaking the drain pipe to clear debris or removing the downspout from the gutter system to eliminate the clog. The trough of a gutter needs to be angled down towards the drain. If the overflow is caused by an incorrect angle on the trough, the gutter needs to be removed and reset so that water flows properly towards the downspout.

What Kind of Damage Can Occur?

Water can cause all types of damage to a building or home. Having rainwater and snow melt properly directed off of a roof is essential for the protection of the roof, the siding, and interior walls, the foundation, fascia, and soffits, and the landscaping around the structure.

• Roof - Clogs in gutters can back up on the roof and get under shingles, which causes leaks into the home through attics and walls. The water backup onto the roof can also cause structural damage to the roof decking, headers, and beams. Shingles can also be damaged, which can reduce the lifespan of a roof.

• Foundation - When water is not directed properly away from a building, it can lead to foundation damage. Erosion around the foundation can create foundation issues, including cracks, sinkage, and flooding in basements.

• Siding and Walls - Backups in gutters can cause water to overflow and run down the siding affixed to a building. If the backup or clog is not addressed, over time this misdirected water can cause leaks which affect exterior walls but also cause interior wall damage. Wood can rot and mold and mildew can grow, which will cause damage and stains.

• Fascia and Soffit - The fascia is the board found directly behind a gutter and the soffit is found on the underside of the eaves of a structure. Water from clogs can impact the integrity of the wood and cause rot and deterioration.

• Landscaping - Landscaping can be affected by overflowing gutters.  It can cause the ground cover (mulch, stones, compost, etc.) to wash away, damage root systems, impact flower beds, interfere with hardscaping, and create pools of water for breeding mosquitoes.

If your gutters are overflowing and clogged, we recommend having your gutters checked out. Water damage occurs over time, which is why it is important to identify gutter blockages early on and fix the issue. You will avoid bigger problems this way. The fixes are usually quick, and the cost is low compared to the cost of repairing siding, rot, foundation, and roof issues, leaks, structural issues, landscaping, and more. Gutter guards can prevent debris from falling into the trough and are very helpful in preventing clogs and reducing gutter maintenance. Inspecting your gutters twice a year, in early spring and late fall, is advised, with or without gutter guards. 

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, doing the inspection and gutter maintenance is a task that you should schedule regularly.  If not, it is advised to hire a qualified and trusted gutter service to inspect and safeguard your property. Elite Home Solutions is a licensed contractor that provides gutter repair and installation services in Northeast and Northwest Arkansas. We are a trusted and highly rated company that provides free quotes, and if water damage has affected your property, we have the skills and know-how to repair it for you. We can also install gutter guards to help block debris from getting into your gutters and prevent blockages, realign gutters, replace gutter components, and install new gutter systems.