People often realize they need to clean their eaves, but do not always see the early signs of an issue. Yet, there are gutter problems that require more than just a scoop and a hose. Whenever you encounter significant or recurring problems, you should abandon your ladder and seek proper roof repair. Below, you will find a comprehensive overview of the situations in which you should consider bringing in professionals.
Noises That Come from Your Gutters
One way to tell if your gutters are in trouble is to pay attention to the noises around them. If you experience strange noises from your eavestroughs after rainfall, such as gurgling, steady drips, or large splashes, it could be a sign that the water is unable to move easily due to blockages or another issue. People who live with clogged gutters often view the issues as just part of their home, but these sounds may hint at alignment issues, blockages, or downspout obstructions.
Eavestroughs Are Coming Away from the Side of the House
Any time gutters pull away from the fascia or hang downward, it means something is pushing against them. Often, this happens because debris settles over time and water forms in different locations, making the structure heavier. The way the eavestrough is fixed to the fascia can come loose, or the fascia material may be weakened by moisture. Restoring your gutters won’t prevent the original problem from recurring if the underlying damage isn’t also addressed. People like The Eavestrough Guy can even out the system and work on the broken parts to stop it from totally failing.
Paint or Rust Spots on Your Siding
If the eavestrough isn’t working right, water might leak down the walls of your house. This problem can result in cracks and an orange-peel paint appearance, and rust can also develop around nails or joints. Eventually, it can cause the wood to rot, mold to appear, and create structural problems in your home. Water is not being directed away from the property due to blocked pipes, bad planning, or damage to some areas. These issues can’t be resolved with cleaning; you likely require specialists to review and possibly create a more effective gutter system.
Winter Is Frequently Affected by Ice Dams
Where it’s cold, ice dams form frequently and can be very serious. They occur when snow on the roof melts, slides down, and refreezes near the eaves, mainly because the eavestroughs are not clean or suitably insulated. As a result, water remains on the roof, seeping into the shingles and dripping into your home. Trying to clear ice by themselves often puts homeowners at risk and doesn’t do the job effectively. A professional can safely clear your gutters of ice and upgrade them to prevent the issue from recurring each winter.
Moisture in Your Basement
Eavestroughs tend to be the cause of basement moisture, dampness, or flooding far more often than most people notice. If your gutters don’t divert water far enough, it can gather around the edge of your home and get inside through basement cracks or poor materials. You can’t repair sagging gutters, gaps between levels, or incorrect grading simply by DIY cleaning. Professionals may use longer downspouts, splash blocks, or a personalized drainage system to prevent moisture in your home.
Gutters That Have Seen Cracks or Splitting
While tiny cracks and splits might not seem serious at first, if they’re exposed to rain, sun, and temperature changes, they can get bigger. A fast way to fix it with caulk is possible, but if many areas are damaged, the condition can worsen. Trained professionals can determine whether easy fixes are necessary or if paying for a complete replacement will be more cost-effective in the long run.
Accessories: Gutter Joint Gaps
Perforated eavestroughs on buildings are made by joining two lengths at the joints. Most of the time, these are areas where problems appear in older equipment. As your gutters age, the water-resistant sealant stops working, even if you keep the gutters clean. To solve this type of problem, DIY often means adding more sealant, but it won’t last long term. In some cases, a better solution is to use seamless gutters from The Eavestrough Guy, which are molded to fit your home, ensuring fewer points of failure.
Wood Found Underneath Gutters That Is Compromised
If water escapes from your rain gutters, it can get into the wood supporting your roof. The fascia board, soffits, and occasionally rafters are part of it. When wood takes on a discolored or warped look, it’s a sure sign it has been exposed to water for a long time. Many of these issues are not easy to notice until it’s too late. A professional inspection enables professionals to identify weak spots and treat affected water elements and surfaces to prevent further decay.
Home renovation and roof replacement
When you have a renovation or a new roof installed, also have your gutters examined. If you add new roofing materials to an old or broken gutter, they won’t perform well together. Besides, mixing styles could introduce a strange mismatch. An expert will inspect that the eavestroughs are in good condition, match your home’s style, and complement the fresh design. Our team at The Eavestrough Guy is present during renovations to ensure all features match and remain functional.
Cleaning the space over and over
If you continue to clean your eavestroughs but still face the same problems, such as water that won’t drain, sagging, or overspilling, there are probably other issues at play. If they don’t, this can usually be explained by an incompatible design for your home or deteriorated parts inside the system. An inspection by a business can identify areas where your system is not functioning correctly and provide advice on how to improve it, such as adding leaf guards, adjusting the slope, or replacing the entire system.
Don’t Postpone Your Vision Until It’s Too Late
Maintaining your eavestroughs is essential for all homeowners. While cleaning yourself is helpful, there are times when challenging issues, caused by time, weather, and everyday use, require professional cleaning. If you call in a professional soon enough, you can prevent expensive damage and secure the safety of your home.
At The Eavestrough Guy, having educational skills and offering top customer support helps us do more than just clean out gutters. We can seal leaks, address drainage issues, and replace your entire system as needed for your unique property. Let the experts examine your eavestroughs and ensure they are functioning correctly, so you won’t have to worry.
FAQs
Will a clogged gutter harm my roof?
Yes. A buildup of water from blocked gutters may cause water to leak and rot areas under the shingles.
Is gutter guard installation a good option for me?
Even with gutter guards, you can still need to clean the gutters occasionally.
How long will an eavestrough system last?
The average lifespan of aluminum gutters is 20 to 30 years, depending on proper care and the local climate.
Why does water leak from my gutters?
Usually, this means something is blocking the drain, or the slope is not correct.
Can broken gutters cause my basement to become wet?
Absolutely. When drainage is poor, your foundation may develop cracks, and the basement may flood.