Gutters always need to be installed so that they slightly slope downward from the sealed end to where the downspout is. If there isn’t sufficient slope, any part of the gutter has come loose and started to sag or the gutter is clogged with debris, there may be issues. It could result in water not being able to drain properly and getting trapped in the gutter. When this happens, water can then start pooling up at the edge of the roof and seeping underneath the shingles or tiles.
One concern is that the water will then start leaking through the roof into the attic, which can quickly lead to issues with mold growth. An even bigger issue is that the water can cause the underlying wooden parts of the roof structure to start rotting or warping. This can threaten the structural integrity of the roof and lead to it sagging or possibly even collapsing.
Not only does that mean the roof will need to be replaced sooner, but it also means that the cost to replace the roof will be quite a bit higher as a result of some of the roof sheets. Possibly some of the trusses will need to be replaced as well. Water leaking through the roof into the attic can damage your ceilings and force you to replace some of the insulation in the attic as well. Another serious concern is that the water could get into light fixtures in the ceiling and cause them to short out or even lead to an electrical fire.
If your gutters can’t drain properly, it can also result in ice dams forming on your roof during the winter. Ice dams further increase the chances of leaks and roof damage, as the ice will often cause the shingles to lift up so that water can then seep underneath them. A large ice dam can also exert so much weight on a gutter that it gets bent or even torn off the roof.
PROTECTING YOUR HOME’S FOUNDATION AND SIDING
If a sloped roof didn’t have gutters and downspouts, all of the water that drains off it would just end up dripping down the siding and pooling up along the side of the foundation. The same thing happens if any of your gutters start overflowing because they’re clogged with leaves and debris or otherwise not draining properly. Water constantly dripping down the side of your house every time it rains will often lead to your siding fading, getting stained or the paint starting to peel. There is also a chance that the water will get in behind the siding and lead to the exterior sheeting on the wall rotting.
The much bigger issue is when water pools around the foundation, as this can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home. Waterlogged soil along the side of the foundation can lead to cracks in foundation walls or cause them to bow inward. As the soil then dries out, it can shrink and settle to the point where the foundation wall cracks or bows outward as a result of it no longer being properly supported.
Your foundation itself can also end up shifting and settling, which can result in flooring damage as a result of floors sinking or upheaving. Another issue you’ll commonly see, when the foundation shifts, is large diagonal cracks forming in the drywall at the upper corners of window and door frames or doors and windows suddenly not being able to fully open or close.
AVOIDING FLOODING IN YOUR HOME
The other thing you need to worry about, when water pools up around the side of your home, is if it starts to seep through the concrete and gets inside your basement or crawl space. If you don’t have a sump pump that can pump all of the water away from your house, this type of issue has the potential to cause extensive flooding and major water damage.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR GUTTERS PROPERLY MAINTAINED
Maintaining your gutters to ensure they work properly isn’t all that difficult. The main thing you need to do is occasionally clean them to ensure they don’t get clogged by leaves and debris. You also want to check the gutters for any signs of damage and make sure that the water coming out of your downspouts drains at least 3 feet away from your foundation.
You’ll obviously need to have an extension or step ladder that allows you to climb up to the edge of the roof to clean your gutters. This could result in serious injury or death if you’re not careful and end up falling. If you don’t have a ladder that will reach or just aren’t comfortable climbing up to your roof, you can always hire a professional to do the job for you. An even better option is to have a roofing company install gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from getting into your gutters. You may still need to clean your gutters occasionally, depending on which type of gutter guards you install, but you won’t have to do it as often.
