The gutters on your home are designed to keep rainwater away from the walls and the foundations. The system collects water from the roof where it flows to a drainage system, preventing damage to the home. But what happens if the gutter system is not working effectively. What causes gutter systems to fail, and what can you do when this happens?
Blocked Gutters
Gutters are typically open at the top to allow the water from the roof to flow into them and down into the downspout. This is a terrific way to drain water from the roof.Nevertheless, because the gutters are open, other things can get into them too. This can include twigs, leaves, moss, and any trash that may have blown up there on a windy day. If these items come together, they can cause a blockage that clogs the gutter and prevents the rainwater from draining away.
If it continues to rain, the water will start to back up in the gutter to the point where it will overflow or even cause it to sag, leak, or break.
If your gutters are blocked, you will need to have them cleaned. You can do this yourself if you are confident working at roof level and if you have a ladder that will reach. Otherwise, you will need to get someone in to do this for you.
Alternatively, say the experts at Global Gutter Systems, you could consider rain gutter coverings, which protect the gutters from debris such as leaves, moss, and twigs. This is a fantastic way to keep gutters clog-free for longer.
Plants or Nests in the Gutters
If your gutters have not been cleaned for a long time, do not be surprised to see weeds growing out of them. It is not uncommon for seeds to be blown or dropped into gutters, where they will begin to grow in the damp environment. Sometimes birds will start to build their nests in gutters, which will bring its own set of problems. If your gutters become attractive to various types of wildlife such as birds, mice,or squirrels, damage will most certainlyfollow.
Regular cleaning of the gutters is the best way to avoid both plants and animals from making their home on your roof.
Cracked or Damaged Gutters
Some gutters are prone to cracking, particularly those made from vinyl. When this material is subjected to extreme temperatures such as very hot summers and freezing cold winters, the vinyl can become brittle and start to crack. This inevitably leads to leaking from the gutters. Those made from lightweight aluminum might dent if they are subjected to a heavy snowfall.
Damaged gutters should be repaired if possible. If the guttering is snapped, it will need to be replaced.
Incorrect Sloping
The gutters on a house are designed to slope downwards at a slight angle so that the water will run down to the downspout and into the drain below. If your guttering has been installed incorrectly, the slope may not be allowing the water to flow correctly, which can cause an overflow on the roof. If the gutters are overflowing and there are no blockages that you can see, it might be that there is not enough of a slope.
To fix incorrectly sloping, you will need to reattach each gutter bracket slightly lower than it already is. This should be enough to allow the water to drain into the downspout and away from the house. Make sure that all the water is being directed into the drain below to avoid flooding in heavy rain.