There’s nothing worse than having a new set of gutters installed on your home—either as a DIY project or by a gutter company—just to have them not work properly when it really counts. At Tacoma Gutter Service, we’ve been in business for nearly 50 years and we’ve seen so many homeowners face this issue. Sometimes they’ve hired another gutter company to do the job, other times they’ve attempted to do it themselves, and when it comes down to keeping their home safe and dry during a storm, their gutters don’t work.
It’s not always because of an improper installation, sometimes debris clogs the gutter system or heavy winds pull the gutters away from the fascia. Whatever the reason, when rain gutters aren’t working, it can lead to expensive exterior, interior, and structural problems down the road.
Here’s are 10 ways to evaluate your gutters to make sure they’re in tip-top shape and working properly before the next storm hits.
- While it’s raining, take a few seconds to see if any water is shooting out over the gutters, this indicates they’re not doing their job properly and something needs to be fixed.
- Check the gutter corners after the next rainfall (or use your hose to run water through your gutters) for dripping; if you do find water leaks, it means the seal has been broken.
- If you see your gutter sagging or pulling away from the fascia of your home, it could suggest that your gutter is full (which could be the result of improper pitch) or that your fascia has rotted.
- A washed-out landscape, holes, or standing puddles along your home are likely caused by a clogged system.
- Along the same lines, eroded landscape near your home’s foundation could simply mean your downspout isn’t positioned far enough away.
- If your roof is covered in fallen leaves, there’s a good chance that your gutters are filled with them too, which will clog your system.
- Exterior damage to your fascia, window sills, or wooden deck could mean your gutters are clogged.
- Water dripping between the gutter and the fascia board suggests you have an impaired (or non-existent) drip edge, meaning water from your roof isn’t making it into your gutters.
- If water is bubbling out the underground drain your downspout is pouring into, it could indicate that the drain is clogged; you may need city assistance to fix this issue.
- If you can see flying insects hovering around your gutters, it may be because there’s standing water, this is likely due to an improper pitch. Similarly, if you see birds near your gutters, they may have built a nest in your system, which will cause it to clog once it rains.
If you see any of these warning signs as you inspect your rain gutters, or if you need help evaluating their competency, get in touch with us at Tacoma Gutter Service. We have years of experience and will be glad to help you get your gutters into proper working order. For your FREE estimate, visit us online or call us at (253) 927-7111.
This post first appeared on https://tacomagutterservice.com