Are Your Gutters Leaking?
Gutters are so important because – despite being simple and relatively inexpensive – they protect valuable home assets, like the roof, foundation and windows. Taking care of and cleaning gutters is an easy way to help prevent your home from damages.
And it’s really much easier than you might think.
Spotting a leak in your gutters early can protect the entire home. Below, we’ve provided a few indicators that you can look for (without hiring a roofer) to determine if you have a gutter leaking.
How to Identify Leaking Gutters
There are several warning signs that suggest a leaking gutter, even if you don’t actually see water dripping. You can do a visual inspection from the lawn to determine if the signs of a leaking gutter are there.
Here’s what to look for:
Visible Flaws – When the gutters pull away from the roof, it causes stress on the fasteners. Cracks can be the result of faulty installation, low quality materials, storm damage or age. Cracks in the gutter or seeing any part of them pulling away from the roofing might not be causing a leak yet, but will ultimately lead to problems. Getting these defects repaired is affordable than installing new gutters or any of the possible damages a leak can lead to.
Pooling Water – If rain is pooling around your house, it’s a sign that a gutter leak is present. You should also check pipes, water spigots and any other water source that is near your home, just to be sure.
Pooling water around your house can be really bad for the foundation. It’s also bad for landscaping and could cause windows to leak.
Drips – One of the more noticeable signs of a leaking gutter is a drip, or several of them.
A drip coming from your gutter indicates a clog, but if it’s coming from the bottom and it isn’t a big overflow, there is a hidden leak somewhere. These small leaks can happen if a fastener has gotten loose (see the next item on our list).
Visible Fasteners – Finding nails and screws wiggling their way out of the gutters means a leak is going to begin soon, if it hasn’t already. The area where the nail or screw fits in becomes a new area where water can escape if the fastener works its way out.
Sometimes the answer is as simple as refastening them, but it can also be important to cover the hole so no more water can escape from around the screw or nail, even after it is tightened again. You can purchase this sealant, or let a gutter repair company put it on.
Water Stains or Rust – Water leaves evidence behind, especially when it is consistently or frequently there. Dark water stains will appear because dirt and other materials stick to the moist surface better than it would a dry one.
Rust is the result of constant moisture, and the more severe sign you’ll see after you see water stains. water stains can be cleaned away and the gutters can be repaired, but if the gutters are rusty, they will definitely need to be repaired or replaced.
Unexplained Home Damage – If there hasn’t recently been a severe storm, and you haven’t had a tree limb fall on your roof, but you’re beginning to see paint flaking, cracking in the foundation around the downspouts or walkways, decaying wood on your patio or deck, or mold on your window sills, you might have a gutter leak.
These are all signs that water has been leaking from somewhere it shouldn’t be. They also are related to aging building materials, so all of these factors need to be factored in when inspecting gutters for leaks.
Other gutter issues…
Not all gutter issues lead to major repairs. If you see these gutter issues, a leak may not be the problem.
Rain Overflow – This one is a pretty easy fix. It’s probably not a gutter leak, but a clog that should be removed. You can do this yourself or hire a Hoboken gutter cleaning company – even a general handyman – to clean them out.
Animal Nests – A bird, squirrel, chipmunk can build a nest in your rain gutters or in your downspout, which can also cause overflow. Once the nest has been there while, you will start to see some of the above signs of leaks – like rust or pooling – if you don’t get rid of it.
Trees & Plants – A tree can easily take root in your rain gutter with small amounts of debris present. While it may be little now, a sapling will sprout strong roots that can destroy aluminum gutters before you know it.
Professional Gutter Repair
Any of these obvious signs indicate there are problems with your gutter that need to be addressed right away. By checking all of your gutters and downspouts, you can tell if there’s a cause for concern.
This is when a professional gutter service in Hoboken can be helpful. They can determine if gutter replacement is necessary or if you can get by with repairs to lengthen the lifetime of your gutters. Sometimes, basic gutter cleaning is all that’s needed.
Some homeowners decide to do basic gutter care and maintenance, such as gutter cleaning, on their own. Although it it can be time-consuming and somewhat dangerous, they are ready to take on the chore 1-2 times a year to save a little money.
However, anything beyond simple gutter cleaning should be left to professionals.
Start by finding a gutter service with good customer reviews like All Things Gutter. Then let us do a full inspection to accurately determine the problem. We offer free inspections for new customers.
If there are any repairs to be made, or if we feel that it’s time for gutter replacement, you can count on us to get the job done right. Our gutter repair service will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run!