Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Harrison, ME

Gutters overflow in heavy rain for several reasons. The main reasons why your gutters could be overflowing in heavy rain include:

• Not enough downspouts to effectively remove water from your gutters

• Too small of a gutter width—the average gutter size is four to six inches

• Clogged gutters

• Incorrect slope

If you believe your gutters were installed incorrectly, it’s a good idea to know who to call for gutter leaks. Speak with a local gutter specialist to get to the bottom of your gutter system to stop water from flooding your property or yard ASAP.

The most common size for PVC pipe on gutter drains is 4 inches in diameter. However, 3-inch pipes can also work, depending on your specific gutter system. The ideal PVC size depends on how much water your gutter collects, its length, and its size.

If you’re not interested in digging up your yard, but you still need to direct water away from your house, another option is to extend your downspouts further out into the yard. Two methods to do this are:

• Adding a splashguard. This is the simplest method. You can purchase a splashguard at your local hardware store and place it under your downspout. This will act as a funnel to direct water away from your house.

• Add downspout extension at the end. You can also add an additional downspout to the end of the “elbow” as a way to extend the water further out into your yard. Some hardware stores sell downspouts with a flexible extension that you can maneuver around your yard.

The above alternatives are great options if your gutters are above a slab foundation that you wouldn’t want to dig up. One downside to these methods is if your yard slopes back upwards to your home, then the water won’t actually flow away. In which case, burying your downspouts if the best option to avoid flooding and water damage to your home.

While gutter guards offer protection for your gutter system, they aren't completely safe from clogs. Over time, small pieces of debris can get through gutter screens. This can eventually cause clogged gutters, gutter leaks, mold formation, and other problems that can compromise your roof, foundation, and other parts of your home. In fact, it's common to see plants growing from gutter screens when gutter guard cleaning has been neglected. Knowing how to clean gutter guards is important to protect your gutter system from damage or malfunction.