What Causes Gutter To Overflow?
What Causes Gutter To Overflow?
Gutters are designed to capture rainfall and redirect it away from a building’s base to prevent water seepage, which can impact the foundation, basement, and the structure itself. If water leaks into the foundation, it can lead to mold and decay over time due to the accumulation of moisture. Additionally, many property owners utilize gutters to collect rainwater for their gardens.
Gutters frequently overflow for several reasons, including heavy rain, insufficient gutters or downspouts, and obstructed gutters or downspouts.
Reasons For Gutters Overflowing
This article explains ten possible reasons for gutter overflow and outlines solutions to these issues. Gutter overflow can lead to damage to a home’s roof, walls, foundation, and landscaping.
By understanding the reasons for gutter overflow, homeowners can take preventive measures and ensure their gutters are working correctly.
Dirty Gutters
Dirty gutters are the most common cause of overflowing gutters. If the gutters are clogged with debris, the water can’t flow through them and down the downspouts, resulting in overflowing gutters. Homeowners can check their gutters’ cleanliness by using a ladder or a second-story window.
If the debris in the gutter is wet, it is a sign that the blockage is causing the gutter overflow. Regular cleaning of gutters, two to four times a year, is recommended for homes with trees.
Additionally, gutter guards can be installed as a long-term solution to reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
Small Gutters
If a home has a large roof, the gutters may not be able to handle the increased water flow. In regions with high rainfall, the gutters need to hold more water during downpours. If the gutters are too small, they will fill up too quickly and overflow during heavy rains.
Homes with older or newly constructed properties usually have 5” gutters, which can work well for smaller roofs or dry climates. In other cases, 6” gutters are recommended as they can catch water flowing at high speeds and hold 40% more water than 5” gutters.
If the gutters overflow even when there is no debris clogging them, homeowners may need to upgrade their gutters.
Uneven Water Distribution
When a roof has a large valley, it can cause a lot of water to flow into one spot on the gutters. Ideally, the roof water runoff should distribute evenly to avoid overwhelming any gutter section.
The gutters will fill up and overflow before the water has time to drain properly if they are not prepared to handle an increased water flow.
A rain diverter can be installed by a roofer to split the water, and a gutter company can install a splash guard to catch the water that might slip over the edge.
Homeowners may also opt to replace part of their system with 6” gutters instead of the whole house.
Improper Gutter Pitch
The gutter pitch is the angle at which the gutter sits to ensure the water flows toward the downspout. If the gutters are not pitched correctly, the water may pool in the center of the gutter run, flow toward an end cap without a downspout section or flow too quickly toward the downspout.
A gutter contractor can inspect and repitch the gutter(s) to ensure proper pitch.
Loose Gutters
If the gutter is coming loose from the fascia, it may sag forward, causing water to spill over like a tilted glass of water.
A loose gutter can be caused by several factors such as old gutter systems or fascia, loose brackets, or too few brackets. Depending on the cause of the issue, homeowners can replace the gutter or fascia or secure the brackets.
Clogged Underground Drains
Homeowners’ underground gutter drainage systems can become clogged, resulting in nowhere for the water to go out of the downspout.
Signs of a clogged drainage system include plants growing out of the entry point, overflowing water, water pooling around the drain, and basement leaks near the drain. Landscaping specialists can clear the drainage system to solve this issue.
Your gutter guards are dirty
One common reason for overflowing gutters is dirty gutter guards. Many homeowners assume that installing gutter guards means they never have to clean their gutters again, but this is not the case. Gutter guards are meant to reduce maintenance, not eliminate it.
Over time, debris can accumulate on your roof or on top of your gutter guards, which can cause water to overflow. The solution to this is to have your gutter system cleaned at least once a year to ensure that debris doesn’t build up.
A simple roof/gutter blow-off can do the trick. In some instances, you may need to invest in a gutter cleaning wand to spray your gutter guards clean.
You don’t have enough gutters
Another reason for overflowing gutters is a lack of gutters or downspouts. Some properties only have gutters on part of the house, while others have long gutter runs that bend around corners without a downspout at the corner.
In both cases, water can overflow from the gutters, causing damage to the roof, walls, and foundation. To address this, have a gutter technician inspect the layout of your gutter system and recommend adjustments or additional downspouts to ensure proper water flow.
Your downspouts are clogged
Clogged downspouts are another cause of overflowing gutters. Debris can also build up in your downspouts, causing rainwater to back up and overflow. To fix this issue, carefully use a blower to blow down the top of the downspout to clear out the debris.
If you have underground pipes, be sure to disconnect them first. If you have smaller 2×3 downspouts, consider upgrading to larger 3×4 downspouts to improve water flow.
The gutters overflowing are installed incorrectly
Lastly, overflowing gutters can also be caused by an incorrect gutter installation. If your gutters sit too far below the roofline, water may pass your gutters instead of flowing into them. To fix this issue, hire a gutter specialist to remove and properly reinstall the gutter run so that it sits properly under the roofline.
In conclusion, overflowing gutters can cause significant damage to your home’s foundation, walls, and roof.
By understanding the reasons why gutters overflow and taking the necessary steps to fix them, you can prevent water damage and ensure that your home remains in good condition.
