Common Causes of Clogged Gutters and How to Prevent Them

Overflowing gutters pose a threat to a house’s foundations and roofing system. But what causes gutters to overflow, and is there anyway to prevent this from happening?

Causes of Overflowing Gutters

Gutter sizes are calculated to handle the highest recorded rainfall in the area, with some headroom to spare. This means that if your gutters are overflowing at the edges, it could be caused by one or more of the following reasons:

1. Clogged gutters – This is probably the most common reason why gutters overflow and is caused by leaves, dirt and debris stuck in the gutters. Gutters tend to get clogged faster during the fall season due to falling leaves. In addition to clogging, debris in the gutter troughs can retain moisture, which can lead to mold growth and corroded gutters. Downspouts may also be clogged in the same manner.

2. Inadequate gutter system – This means the gutters may be under-equipped to handle rainfall in the area. This can be attributed to miscalculations made by the gutter installer or changes were made to the roof. An increase in the roof slope proportionally increases the rate rainwater flows into the gutters, which is why it has to be remeasured after a roof replacement. The gutters may also have too few downspouts.

3. Extremely heavy rainfall – Sometimes unusual weather patterns can result in extremely heavy rainfall, which may break the highest recorded rainfall in the area.

Fixing Overflowing Gutters

The best way to address gutter problems is making sure the gutters are correctly built. Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable gutter contractor can help make sure your new gutters are properly sized in relation to your roof slope and local climate. Regularly scheduled cleaning can also make sure the gutters are free of leaves and debris.

Changes to your existing gutters can further reduce the likelihood of overflowing during rainfall. Additional downspouts can be installed by your gutter contractor. A gutter protection system like Gutter Helmet® can prevent solid matter from getting into the gutters, which helps keep the gutter troughs clear and reduce its cleaning and maintenance requirements.

Gutter Helmet of Piedmont is your leading provider of gutter protection products, such as Gutter Helmet. Give us a call at (844) 204-1015, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Charlotte, NC, and nearby areas.