It’s easy to forget your gutters – until something goes wrong. They’re meant to channel rain off your roof and away from your property, but when they’re jammed full of leaves and rubbish, trouble starts quickly. Ignore the early warning signs and you can find yourself dealing with water damage, mould, or even a subsiding foundation. Not sure if you need to get someone out? These are the most common signs your gutters need clearing today.
Water Coming Over the Sides in the Rain
If water is coming over the sides of your gutters when it’s raining heavily, they’re likely to be blocked and not draining. Water should be flowing right through to the downpipes. When it comes running out the sides, it means that there’s a blockage – and the water’s finishing up in the one place you don’t want it, near your house or your garden.
Gutters Sagging or Pulling Away from the Roof
Gutters must be straight and level. If they’re sagging, warping, or starting to peel away from the roof, it usually means they’re clogged with water and debris. That extra weight can warp the brackets or loosen them. A cleaning professional can clean your gutters and check to see if anything needs repairing or replacing before it becomes a problem.
Plants or Moss Growing Out of the Gutters
You can see tiny plants or moss growing out of the gutters if they’re clogged. The dirt, leaves, and seeds pile up over time to provide a great place for things to grow. It’s not only an eyesore – it also keeps the gutter wet, which leads to rust or rot. A good cleaning will kill the growth and destroy the gunk underneath.
Splashes of Mud Coming from the Ground or Marks on the Walls
If you have green or brown stains along walls just below the gutters, or notice a streak of grime thrown up along the foundation of your house, that typically suggests the water is over-flowing. Water unable to drain will seep behind your walls or into insulation – which is much more expensive to fix than a run-of-the-mill clean.
Soil Washing Away or Soft Patches Near the House
If your flower beds are washed out from a shower of rain or you have low spots next to the foundation, water could be running straight down from the gutters instead of through the pipes. It can cause shifting in the ground and force water against the house, which leads to basement leaks and damp problems.
Ongoing Drips in the Joints or Ends
A few drips around the seams or where the pipe meets the gutter don’t look like much, but they’re a sign something’s wrong. Water might be just lingering and leaking through small gaps. Eventually, it can lead to algae, staining, or leaks in the house. A reseal and cleaning should correct it.
Icicles or Ice Dams in Winter
If your gutters are blocked in winter, melting snow can freeze again at the edge of the roof. This forms ice dams and big icicles, which can force water back under the roof and into the loft. If you’ve had this problem before, it’s worth getting the gutters cleared before the cold weather sets in.
Rust, Peeling Paint, or Rot Where the Gutter Connects
If the paint is bubbling or the metal is rusting, it’s often due to water having been present in one area for too long. With wooden fascias, you may see colour or soft patches – an absolute indicator that damp is seeping through. A cleaning team can repair the clog and check for damage before it becomes a problem.
Insects or Birds Nesting Around the Gutters
Water accumulates standing, and mosquitoes are attracted to it. Clogged gutters filled with water can also have ants, termites, or birds looking for a nesting site. You’ll probably be aware that they are clogged and full of water if you notice chirping near the roof or find insects swarming after the rain.
Grit from Roof Shingles Filling the Gutter
With time, roof tiles could be losing their coating, especially if they’re old. These jagged tiny fragments collect in the gutter, forming a thick, sticky coat that clogs water away. Much of this, a cleaning company can sweep away and may suggest having the roof looked at too.
Damp Smells in the Loft or Water Marks on the Ceiling
Other times the first sign is inside the home. A smell of mildew in the attic or brown spots on the ceiling might be a sign that water is leaking back into the roof and soaking into the insulation or wood. Gutter cleaning can stop the leak from further damaging.
Gutters are small, but when they malfunction, they can wreak expensive havoc. If you’ve noticed water overflowing, sagging spots, discoloration, water stains, bugs, or icicles, don’t wait. A gutter cleaning company can sweep the mess away, look for damage, and avoid bigger problems down the line. Twice-yearly cleanings can cost you thousands in repairs – and make your home secure and dry.
