Highlights
Dealing with a particularly rainy season
Not have enough gutters in place
Handling clogged gutters and downspouts
Sizing up your gutters
Repositioning your gutters
Gutters and downspouts collect and move rainwater away from your home’s foundation. But if they don’t work efficiently, it can lead to water damage to your roof, fascia, and even your home’s foundation. There are several reasons your gutters may be making a bit too much of a splash, including clogs or poor positioning.
Let’s break down the most common reasons your gutters are overflowing and talk about how to stop the problem once and for all.
1. An Abundance of Rain
Even though the purpose of gutters is to handle the rain, if water pours down in extreme volumes, it could cause an overflow. It can also lead to sagging and breaking, which are signs to install new gutters.
2. Too Few Gutters and Downspouts
If gutters don't line your roof on all sides that are parallel to the ground, they may overflow. This is also the case with downspouts, the vertical pipes that send the water out of your gutters and into the ground away from your home. Too few downspouts can also lead to overflow because there aren't enough of them to pick up the slack.
3. Undersized Gutters
Small or insufficient gutters could lead to water overflow because they can’t handle the water volume. If you suspect undersized gutters are to blame, contact a roofing or gutter pro in your area to assess the size and quantity of your gutters.
“The most common gutter size is the 5-inch gutter,” says Jose Figueroa, Angi Expert Review Board member. “This size works well for ranches, small to mid-sized homes, and areas with less rain. But if you live in a rainy area or have a larger home with a large or steep roof, we always recommend the 6-inch gutters to our customers.”
4. Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
You’ve likely noticed that a rainstorm can bring lots of debris like leaves and branches with it. This debris can fill and clog your gutters and downspouts. With the debris blocking the movement of rainwater, it’s left with no option but to overflow. You can handle this problem by investing in clog-resistant gutters for your home or cleaning your gutters when the seasons change. This is a job you can do yourself if you’re comfortable on a ladder. You can also hire a pro to clean your gutters for about $160.
5. Gutters Positioned Incorrectly
During installation, gutters are lined up and placed at specific angles. Their position is important because it helps direct the flow of water down and away from your home. If your gutters aren’t aligned the right way, it can lead to overflow. If you’ve checked for debris and you have the correctly-sized gutters in the correct number, and you’re still dealing with overflowing gutters, call a gutter installation pro in your area to investigate the problem.
