Gutters provide more than just a crisp, sharp edge around the roof of your house. A gutter system’s actual purpose is to guide rain and stormwater away from the foundation of a house. Gutters are crucial to the structure of any home.
What Is Gutter Overflow?
Gutters can clog at any time. Whether they’re jammed with debris, seeds, needles or unwanted dirt, they can’t stay clean forever. While clogged gutters may not seem like a big deal, this can have a serious impact on your house.
Clogged gutters restrict water flow from the roof to the ground. This can cause severe backup and overflow.
Gutters are an efficient way to maintain a proper drainage system. By moving rainwater to the ground, you can prevent structural leaks and roof damage. If the drainage system isn’t working, clogged gutters can wreak havoc to the area.
What Causes Clogged Gutters?
A house that’s surrounded by trees as a higher likelihood of clogged gutters. The obvious time for peak gutter clogs is around autumn. Fall leaves are a primary source of clogged gutters.
Other factors include cold weather. Ice and snow are common culprits of clogged gutters. Depending on the slope of the roof, the impact of ice on gutters can vary.
The weight of heavy snow can warp gutters away from the roof. This allows snow and ice to seep into interior walls and even ceilings.
Gutters with dysfunctional downspouts can also cause a gutter to clog. This is especially true at both the exit and entrance areas where you can block water flow.
How to Fix: Thorough Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning out clogged gutters can fix and prevent major problems from occurring. Clean them every spring and fall to keep them working at their best. Remove any buildup of debris, leaves or other substances to prevent roof damage.
To begin cleaning your gutters, start near the downspout. Some hoses will have specific attachments made for this type of cleaning.
Once you unclog the downspout, remove the large debris with a small shovel or trowel. During spring cleaning, there are likely more leaves in the gutter.
To finish a cleaning, flush the length of the gutter with a hose filling the opposite end of the downspout. Water hoses can make this part of the job much easier.
How to Fix: Gutter Overflow Diverter
If you’ve noticed water gathering under the eaves of your roof, it could be a sign of overflowing gutters. One clear sign of overflow is any discoloration on the siding of your house. After a storm, these stains will be more noticeable. This is a clear sign that gutters need immediate cleaning to prevent severe damage to your home.
There are several possible reasons for overflow. Clogged gutters are the most obvious, but the structure of gutters may play a role as well. If gutters are not positioned in the right way, they can cause overflow during heavy storms.
The pitch of a gutter which heads toward the downspout can overflow if it’s too steep. Sometimes gutters are too small to provide accurate drainage.
Fixing overflow depends on the reason it is occurring. Cleaning out leaves and debris can help if it is a matter of clogged gutters. Power hoses involving pressurized air can help force stubborn leaves and sticks out. Removing debris from a clogged gutter will also work as well.
For steep roofs, installing an L-Shaped splashed guard may help prevent overflow. Mesh screens can keep debris like leaves and sticks from entering the gutters. With only water allowed through, gutters have a better chance of staying unclogged.
Contact American Hill Country Gutters
Most gutters at some point or another will become clogged. To prevent possible damage to your house, a spring and fall cleaning is recommended. Contact the experts at American Hill Country Gutters for everything about gutters. Schedule a free consultation with an estimate by calling or scheduling online today!
