We get it—keeping your gutters clear likely isn’t your favorite task on your home maintenance checklist. However, neglecting your gutters can lead to the accumulation of leaves, twigs, and other debris, which can result in your gutters becoming clogged.
Clogged gutters can lead to costly problems, including damage to your roofing system, siding, and foundation. If you notice one of the following signs of clogged gutters, it’s crucial to clear them as soon as possible to ensure they’re performing well and protecting your home.
Common Signs of Clogged Gutters
1. Pest Infestation
Do you notice birds, rodents, insects, or other pests hanging around by your gutters?
You may not think much of these pests, but often, their presence is a sign of clogged gutters. Often, animals drink or bathe in the standing water and use the sticks, leaves, or mud in your gutters to create a nest or to shield themselves from predators.
2. Plant Growth
If your gutters look more like a planter box than an extension of your roofing system, it’s a telltale sign they’re clogged.
When dirt, water, and seeds accumulate in your gutters, it creates the perfect environment for plants to sprout. If you notice plants in your gutters, it’s vital to remove them immediately since the root systems can damage your gutters, and the plants themselves can prevent water from flowing through the pipes.
3. Water Spillage
When it rains, gutters are designed to accumulate water and funnel it away from your home so it doesn’t drip on your siding, roof, or lawn. When your gutters are clogged, they’re unable to channel water through the system, which causes the raindrops to bounce off the leaves, debris, or standing water in your gutter system.
If you notice water sloshing over the sides of your gutters the next time it rains, clear your gutters immediately after the rain subsides to ensure your home is protected from moisture damage during the next big storm.
4. Siding Stains
Do you notice stains on your siding just below your gutters? If so, this may be a sign your gutters are clogged.
If standing water and debris are stewing in your gutters, chances are, the water will eventually become dark and murky. When the dirty water leaks out of the gutters, it can leave unsightly black, brown, or even rust-colored stains behind.
5. Sagging Gutters
Gutters aren’t designed to hold significant weight for long periods. So, when your gutters accumulate dirt, leaves, debris, and standing water, it’s common for them to sag, split, separate, or break away from your home.
If your gutters split or break, they won’t be able to filter water away from your home—even after you clean them. It’s crucial to keep your gutters clean so you don’t have to install new gutters every time they get weighed down by debris.
6. Home Flooding
When your gutters are backed up, they often allow water to spill onto your roofing system or over the side of your gutters, causing water to pool around your home. Unfortunately, the overflow can leak into your attic or basement, which can cause moisture damage, water leaks, and flooding that’s expensive to fix.
It’s much better to keep your gutters clean, so they can keep water away from your home like they’re supposed to, instead of creating frustrating leaks and costly damage.
7. Blocked Downspouts
You may think you’re in the clear if you can’t see debris or rainwater isn’t splashing out of your gutters. However, this isn’t always the case. Often, gutters become clogged in less visible places, like near the downspouts.
To ensure your gutters are working correctly, look at your downspouts during the next rainstorm. Can you see water flowing out of them? If not, your gutters are likely clogged and should be cleared near the downspouts.
LeafCo’s Guide to Common Gutter Problems
Learn more about all the issues you may face with your gutters in our handy guide.
Read the GuideSay Goodbye to Clogged Gutters (for Good!) with Gutter Guards from LeafCo Gutters
If you find yourself dealing with one (or more) of these problems more often than you’d like, even if you clean your gutters regularly, it may be time to invest in a permanent solution.
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your gutters clean, gutter guards are the perfect addition to your gutter system. They assist your gutters by preventing clogs, deterring pests, and safeguarding your home from water damage. We even install gutter guards for copper gutters.
Learn more about how reliable gutter guards, installed by our gutter experts at LeafCo Gutters, will ensure you never have to deal with clogged gutters again!
