We’re officially in fall, one of the most well-loved seasons thanks to pumpkin spice-flavored foods and drinks, crisp temperatures, and the return of football whether you cheer on the Bengals or Browns! Though autumn and the exciting outdoor activities, trick-or-treating, and sports that come along with the season are welcomed, we all know what’s to come within a few months: Old Man Winter.
Our gutter systems work in overdrive year-round to protect our homes from drainage issues, with winter being one of the most brutal seasons that takes its toll on them. From freezing temperatures to snowfall, ice storms, snowmelt, and ice dams, our gutter systems can take a beating each winter. Not too long after comes spring with heavy rains, and summer thunderstorms. Ohio weather includes all seasons which can put a damper (literally) on our gutter systems.
With all this year-round precipitation and risk for severe weather, gutter systems can experience some issues and seasonal gutter care is a must. Luckily, most common gutter issues can be resolved and repaired. Continue reading to learn about some gutter troubleshooting and common problems to get them ready for future seasons.
Common Gutter Issues & Fixes
Problem: Overflowing Gutters
Do you know if all your gutters are collecting rainwater and meltwater and moving it toward the downspouts and away from your home? If you’ve ever noticed excess water flowing over your gutters, you’ve unfortunately got overflowing gutters. Gutters overflow when a blockage impedes water flow, forcing the water to flow over the sides, or if the gutters aren’t wide enough to handle heavy water flow.
Overflowing gutters can be a nightmare for homeowners, especially if they cause foundation damage, structural damage, basement flooding, or mold inside the home. Excess water should never pour over the sides of the gutter. Rather, a well-functioning gutter system should collect and carry all rainwater and meltwater from the roof and carry it to the downspouts, diverting it away from the home.
Troubleshooting Overflowing Gutters
Overflowing gutters can be a nuisance, but they’re relatively easy to troubleshoot. Gutters overflow because of clogs and blockages inside the gutter, so cleaning them is a great first step to troubleshooting them. Clean your gutters at least twice annually to remove debris like leaves, pine needles, bird nests, pests, and silt so they don’t clog your gutters. Cleaning gutters is a daunting task that most homeowners dread, so following these tips for gutter maintenance will help keep your gutters clean and prevent them from overflowing. Keeping gutters clean protects your home by eliminating drainage issues caused by faulty gutters.
Leaky Gutters
Do you have half-round, sectional gutters? If so, you’ve probably noticed water trickling from the seams or through gaps in the sections. Unfortunately, leaky gutters are a common problem with sectional gutters because each section is connected to the other using bolts and screws that become loose through the years from heavy rains, heavy snow, and strong wind gusts. Gutters can also leak if the system has suffered previous storm damage that has gone unrepaired, forcing water to trickle through cracks and holes in the gutter system.
Troubleshooting Leaky Gutters
Leaky gutters can cause foundation damage, damage to the home’s siding and landscaping, roof, and soil erosion. It’s important to perform gutter repair on leaky gutters or replace them with seamless gutters like K-Guard®. It can be tricky to determine when to repair vs. replace your gutters, but if they leak after rainfall, it’s time to replace them. Temporary fixes like tightening bolts and screws and repairing holes aren’t permanent fixes, so it’s best to get them replaced as soon as possible to avoid extensive damage.
Sagging Gutters
Have you ever noticed that part of your gutter system hangs lower than others? Is there a dip in the middle of your gutters where all the water collects? If so, you have sagging gutters that could become a major issue if not repaired or replaced soon. Gutters sag when either excess weight is put on the gutters (i.e. they can’t handle large amounts of rainfall or heavy snowfall) or storm damage that causes them to dent or tear away from the home. Whatever the cause, sagging gutters need repairing or replacing.
Troubleshooting Sagging Gutters
If your gutters are sagging, you’ll want to get them repaired or replaced ASAP to avoid further damage. A temporary fix is to tighten bolts and screws to lift a sagging gutter, aligning the sagging section to the rest of the system. You’ll also want to clean your gutters to remove heavy debris that could cause them to sag.
Say Goodbye to Common Gutter Issues with K-Guard®
If you’re tired of troubleshooting your gutters season after season, climbing a tall ladder multiple times a year to clean them, or spending money on a professional to clean your gutters, it’s time to replace them. Say goodbye to common gutter issues with K-Guard® Gutters, a permanent gutter solution that is maintenance-free and prevents clogs!
K-Guard® is a permanent solution to common gutter issues because it’s a complete system that keeps all debris from entering the system, only allowing water to enter the gutters. Because they don’t clog, they never sag or overflow, keeping water moving quickly through the system. The K-Guard® Leaf Free Gutter System has oversized gutters and downspouts that allow more rainwater and meltwater to flow through to the downspouts, never overflowing or sagging from excess rainfall or weight.
Another great advantage to installing K-Guard® is that it lasts a lifetime, with a transferable lifetime warranty that protects your investment. We promise our gutter product will never fade, chip, clog, or require gutter repair or cleaning.
Contact our team today if you’re ready to switch to the K-Guard® System. We’ll be happy to schedule a free estimate and provide a detailed analysis of your current gutter system and a quote for installing our K-Guard® Gutters.