Difficult Gutter Problems

Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road says jason stutzman director of home maintenance and repair for brothers redevelopment in denver.

Difficult gutter problems.

But there is also another problem that can potentially harm your gutter system. Here in the pacific northwest trees are in abundance. Keep reading for our diy fixes for the most common gutter problems. Many homeowners don t give a second thought about gutter slope.

When dealing with a difficult leak enlist a helper and then go up on the roof with a garden hose. Luckily most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. The gutter slope otherwise known as the pitch is the amount the gutters slant downward to direct the path of water flow. You can use the checklist below to visually inspect your gutters.

The problem with gutter guards. The gutter slope is essential to the overall functioning of the system and an incorrect slope can cause a myriad of problems. Gutter guards can increase other concerns. You can find these precut gutter splash guards about 3 in brown and white aluminum at a home center but you could easily make your own out of aluminum or sheet metal and spray paint them to match your gutters.

An inadequate gutter system. Start low soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. A trick for finding difficult leaks. It s important to have a proper system in place to help prevent damage to your siding and foundation during rainstorms.

Twice a year plan on a thorough cleanout and a check that water is flowing through the gutter system as it should. Here we list and describe gutter problems and defects including clogged gutters leaky roof gutters overflowing gutters sagging loose poorly sloped or damaged gutters and other roof drainage system problems. Some homes just don t have any gutters at all which can cause all sorts of problems. In the pacific northwest with all of our tree species we get a mix of broadleaf varieties and fir trees.

3 main causes of gutter overflow. Be aware that you might have a combination of gutter problems on your hands. Gutter maintenance isn t necessarily difficult but it does require climbing up to the roofline on a ladder. Protecting the gutter system from leaves is a big concern.

These however don t usually solve the need to clean your gutters and when they do need to be cleaned make it more difficult. For example soak the downhill side of a chimney first then each side then the top on both sides. Isolate areas when you run the hose. Drill rivet holes for the gutter splash guard.

Holes through the splash guard and the gutter. That means plenty of leaf and tree litter which can easily get through the. No matter how hard they try most gutter guards don t protect from all debris falling into the. Uncovering the root issue.

If you know what you re looking for it only takes a short time to find the root cause. Thankfully rainwater overflow is not a complex mystery.