Are Your Gutters Leaking?
Rain Gutters are very important because – although they are simple and relatively inexpensive – they protect more valuable home investments, such as the roof, foundation and windows. Caring for and cleaning rain gutters is an easy way to help protect your house from major damages.
And it’s a lot easier than you probably think.
Spotting a gutter leak early can protect your entire house. Below, we’ve provided a few signs that you can be on the lookout for (without hiring a roof specialist) to determine if there is a leak in your gutters.
How to Identify a Leaking Gutter
There are a lot of warning signs that indicate a leaking gutter, even if you don’t actually see water dripping. You can do a visual inspection from the ground to determine if the signs of a gutter leak are present.
Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
Obvious Flaws – When gutters begin to pull away from the home, it causes stress on the connectors. Cracks can be the result of poor installation, poor quality materials, damage or age. Cracks in the gutter or seeing any section of them pulling away from the roofing might not cause a leak just yet, but will definitely cause problems. Getting these defects repaired is much more affordable than installing new gutters or any of the possible damages a leak can cause.
Pooling – If rain is pooling around your home, it’s a possible sign that a gutter leak is present. You should also check pipes, water spigots and any water source that is close to your house, just in case.
Pooling water near your house can be really bad for the foundation. It’s also bad for landscaping and could cause your windows to leak.
Drips – One of the most visible signs of gutter leaks is a drip, or several drips.
A drip coming from your gutter could indicate a clog, but if it’s coming from the bottom of the gutter and it isn’t a big overflow, there is a hidden leak. These small leaks can occur if a fastener has become loose (see the next item on our list).
Visible Fasteners – Seeing nails and screws working 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 starts to become a new area where water can escape if the fastener starts to fall out.
Sometimes the answer is as simple as tightening them, but it could also be important to seal the hole so no water can leak from around the screw or nail, even after it is tightened again. You can buy this sealant, or let a gutter repair company apply it.
Water Stains or Rust – Moisture leaves evidence behind, especially if it is constantly or frequently there. Dark water stains appear because dirt and other materials adhere to the moist surface better than on a dry one.
Rust is the product of nearly constant moisture, and the more severe sign you’ll see after water stains. water stains on gutters can be cleaned and the gutters repaired, but if gutters are rusty, they definitely need to be repaired or replaced.
Unexplained Home Damage – If there hasn’t recently been a storm, and you haven’t had a tree limb fall on top of your roof, but you’re beginning to notice paint flaking, cracking in the foundation around the downspouts or walkways, rotting wood on your porch or deck, or moldy window sills, you might have a gutter leak.
These are all indications that water has been leaking from somewhere it shouldn’t be. They also go hand in hand with aging building materials, so all of these factors should be taken into account when inspecting gutters for leaks.
Other gutter issues…
Not all gutter issues lead to major repairs. If you see these gutter issues, a leak might not be the issue.
Rain Overflow – This issue is a pretty easy fix. It’s probably not a leak, but a clog that should be cleaned out. You can do this or hire a Arlington gutter cleaning company – or even a general handyman – to clean them out.
Animal Nests – A small bird, squirrel, chipmunk or other pest can build a nest in your gutters or downspout, which can cause overflow. Once the nest has been there for a little 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 take root in your gutter with minimal debris present. While it may be small now, a tree sapling will sprout really strong roots that can destroy aluminum gutters before you even know it.
Professional Gutter Repair
Any of these visible signs mean there are problems with your gutter that have to be addressed right away. By checking your gutters and downspouts, you can tell if there’s a cause for concern.
This is where a professional gutter service in Arlington can be of great help. They can distinguish whether gutter replacement is necessary or if you can get by with repairs to lengthen the life of your home’s gutters. Sometimes, basic gutter cleaning is all that’s needed.
Homeowners can choose to do simple gutter care, like gutter cleaning, themselves. Although it can be time consuming and somewhat dangerous, they are willing to complete the chore a couple of times each year to save some money.
However, anything beyond gutter cleaning should be left to the professionals.
Start by calling a gutter service with good customer reviews like Arlington Gutters. Then let us do a full inspection to accurately determine the issue. We offer free inspections for new customers.
If there are gutter repairs to be made, or if we think that it’s time for gutter replacement, you can count on us to get the job done. Our gutter repair service can save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run!