Signs of clogged gutters include visible debris, overflowing water, staining on your home’s siding, and more. Without regular maintenance, your gutter can become blocked easily and not work to its full potential. This could cause a variety of issues and significant water damage.
Are you a homeowner in the Harford County area and want to know more about blocked gutters? Are you unsure what to look for when spotting a clogged gutter? We will answer all your questions and more in this article from Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC.
We will discuss the many signs of clogged gutters and help you learn what to look out for with your home’s gutters. Armed with the right knowledge, you will be prepared to identify any existing or future blockages.
Signs of Clogged Gutters
Some signs of clogged gutters include visible debris and blockages, overflowing water, inefficient downspouts, and more. When a gutter is blocked, it won’t be able to drain properly and can cause damage to both your home’s exterior and interior.
We will discuss these signs in further detail below.
- Visible Debris and Blockages
If you see leaves and twigs sticking out of your gutters, they are likely clogged. If you have many overhanging trees on your property, you are much more likely to experience blockages due to uncleared leaves.
- Overflowing Water
If water is spilling over the edges of your gutters, they are likely clogged. Blockages in the gutter prevent water from being carried away as it should be, and so during rainstorms the water will build up and go over the edge instead.Â
- The Downspout is Not Releasing WaterÂ
If your downspout is not allowing water to flow through, it is clogged. Your downspout works to carry water away from the roof edge, down to the ground, and safely away from your foundation. Blockages can happen hear, preventing water from making it all the way down.Â
- Sagging Gutters
Clogged gutters can become weighted enough that they will eventually cause the gutters to sag. If you ignore sagging gutters and don’t clear them quickly enough, the weight can increase with each rainstorm until, eventually, your gutter seams can separate.Â
When your gutter seams separate, pieces of gutters can detach and fall off your roof, causing major damage to your gutter system and possibly to your roof itself.
- Pests Are Seen in or Around Your Gutters
If you notice insects or squirrels accumulating near your gutters, you may have a blockage on your hands. Pests are attracted to clogged gutters due to the accumulated water they can drink and debris they can use as nests or guards against predators.Â
- Evident Staining on Siding
Stains on your siding can be caused by water that has pooled in blocked gutters and dripped down to the siding below. These stains are generally brown or black. Brown or red stains can also be caused by residue from rusty gutters, which can be caused by blockages as well.Â
Additionally, clogged gutters can affect your siding’s paint job and make it peel. With clogged gutters, your siding won’t stay dry during rainstorms, which means your paint job’s longevity will suffer as a result.
- Pooling Water around the Foundation
One of the main roles of your gutters is to keep water from pooling around your home’s foundation, but this won’t be achievable if your gutters are clogged. Without water being properly diverted from your home, water can collect at the base of your home and wreak havoc.Â
Water seeping into your foundation can cause major structural damage to your home, and may even flood your basement if the problem is severe enough.
DIY Gutter Inspection Tips
Homeowners wanting to inspect their gutter can do so safely by wearing gloves and safety glasses to protect their hands and eyes and by using a sturdy ladder on a level surface. If possible, you can also have someone with you to help stabilize the ladder if needed.
While you are up looking at your gutters, you should check for any visible blockages and signs of damage. Look for sagging, rust, and corrosion, and check for any loose or detached sections of your gutter. Check your downspouts as well to make sure they are clear to channel water properly.
Conclusion
By knowing the signs of clogged gutters, you will be prepared to respond in a timely manner to any blockages you see. The sooner you act to clear your clogs, the sooner your gutters can return to efficient water management for your home.
Do you have a clogged gutter that won’t clear? For professional help, contact the gutter experts at Tar Heel Construction Group, LLC. With experience in servicing the Bel Air, Maryland area for over 20 years, we have the knowledge and training for any gutter, roofing, or siding job.
You can reach us online on our website, or call us at call us at (410)593-3597!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What will happen if my gutters become clogged?
A gutter that has become clogged will cause water to sit on your roof and pour over the sides. This can cause major damage to the shingles, siding, foundation, and other areas of your home exterior. It can also cause damage to the gutters themselves, and separate them from the roof edge.
Does unclogging gutters take a long time?
The amount of time it will take to clean your gutters is dependent on two things: the size of your roof and the amount of debris. If you have a smaller roof and minimal debris, it could take only a half hour to clear it. If your roof is large and you have a lot of debris, it could take much longer.
