You never want to see any part of your home spring a leak. Gutters, in particular, can be troublesome if they start leaking.
Leaks along your gutters can damage your roof. They can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Ignore those leaks long enough and they could end up compromising the stability of your home’s foundation.
Addressing your leaking gutters with great urgency is crucial. To do so, you must first understand why those parts of your home spring leaks in the first place.
Why Are My Gutters Dripping?
Different issues can cause your gutters to leak and they can vary in terms of severity. Let’s discuss them in greater detail below.
Clogs in Your Gutters
Clogs are probably the most common cause of leaking gutters. Once dried leaves, twigs, and small rocks fall into your gutters, they can get stuck there for a while.
Those bits of debris can effectively prevent the proper flow of water throughout your gutters. Instead of your gutters draining properly, they could wind up flooded because the water has no place to go.
The water continues to pool inside your gutters as the rain pours. After some time, the water will spill over and drench the ground below.
Holes in Your Gutters
Holes forming on your gutters could explain why you are currently dealing with leaking.
The holes may form due to either old age or the debris damaging the gutters. Sharp rocks are notorious for damaging those elements of the home. They may tumble along the length of the gutters and create holes while doing so.
You can tell that the leaking is due to holes if the water is ending up in some weird spots.
Improper Gutter Installation
The leaking you’re witnessing could also be a byproduct of improper gutter installation.
Gutters need to be angled properly so they can drain water effectively. Generally speaking, the gutters should be sloped by a quarter of an inch for every 10 feet of space covered.
Improper sloping could lead to the water not draining where it should.
The issue affecting your gutters could also be caused by inadequate sealing. Some parts of the joints may not be properly sealed and that could lead to water trickling out of them.
What Should I Do if My Gutters Are Leaking?
Calling in professionals is highly recommended if you have leaking gutters.
The professionals can either repair or replace your gutters depending on the severity of the damage. If you’re dealing with clogs or inadequate sealing, repairs should suffice. Replacement may be necessary if your gutters are riddled with holes or improperly installed.
Once the new gutters are set in place, you should consider protecting them with gutter covers. Those gutter covers can minimize the damage done to those parts of your home. They will effectively lengthen the lifespan of your gutters.
Furthermore, gutter covers will make maintenance easier moving forward. You’ll have an easier time keeping those parts of your home in good condition after the covers are set in place.
"Should I be concerned about my leaky gutters"? That won’t be necessary if you hire maintenance professionals. Protect your gutters better with their assistance.