Get matched with top gutter repair and replacement pros in Madison, NC

If your gutters get overwhelmed every time it rains, adding an extra downspout is a solution. First, you'll need to decide where to add the downspout. If your current setup only has a single downspout, one option is to place a new one at the opposite end of the gutter. If you already have a downspout at each end, adding a third one in the middle can help to lighten the load. 

You can hire a professional to add a downspout yourself by cutting into the existing gutter and attaching the necessary parts, such as an outlet and brackets.

If you don't want to install gutter guards, the most common and inexpensive alternative is regular gutter cleaning, either annually, biannually, or as soon as they start to fill up. Using a leaf blower attachment can make this process easier. Other products designed to reduce cleanings include gutter screens (made of wire mesh, nylon, or foam), which are typically less expensive than a full gutter guard installation. You can also find guards and inserts designed specifically to protect your downspouts or opt for a whole gutter system like LeafGuard, which integrates the gutter and guard into a single product.

Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.

There are a handful of things you can look for to determine if you need to pay for gutter repairs, including the following:

• Water leaking from the underside of your gutters during rainfall

• Visible gaps between your gutters and your roof

• Frequent issues with gutters overflowing or holding standing water

• Gutters that sag or pull away from the house

• Water damage to soffits, fascia boards, or other building materials

• Mold growth on your exterior walls

• Soil erosion underneath your roof overhang

• Foundation leaks or inward bowing of foundation walls