A dependable and fully functioning gutter system is essential for keeping your home’s exterior safe from water damage. Regularly cleaning the gutters, ensuring downspouts are free of debris, and making timely repairs are the necessary steps you take to make sure your gutters stay in good shape. But what happens to the gutters when a storm hits? Here are some signs of gutter damage to look for after an attack of bad weather.
Visible Damage to the Roof
First thing to do after an active storm is to check the roof for visible damage. If there is debris on the roofing shingles, especially around roof protrusions and in roof valleys, it should be cleared away before assessing roofing damage or dealing with the gutters. Look for the following:
- Missing asphalt shingles
- Cracked, curling, or worn shingles
- Damp patches – best to check for these 48 to 72 hours after inclement weather
- Loose hardware/raised nail heads
- Nails on the ground
- Damaged flashing
Visible Damage to the Gutters
A gutter system can be vulnerable to storms. Visible signs of damage to the gutters include:
- Dents – aluminum gutters can be dented by strong winds, lashing rain, hail, and falling tree limbs
- Gutter runs appear crooked or “off” (misaligned)
- Sagging gutters
- Rust, holes, and cracks – seems like they magically appear but a violent storm can reveal underlying issues
- Missing or loose hardware
Also inspect the downpipes: ensure they are straight, attached to exterior walls, and still connected to the gutter outlet.
Water in Places it Shouldn’t Be
Another telltale sign of storm damage to the gutters is water where it shouldn’t be. Look for:
- Pooled water underneath downspouts
- Puddles hanging around the foundation
- Streaks of mud on siding
- Stains on soffit from water being splashed upwards
- Water spilling over and behind the gutter, running down between the back of the gutter and the fascia
Any of the above is an indication that water is escaping from the gutter system instead of being properly drained away from the house.
Take Immediate Action
Because gutters are the first line of defense in protecting your home’s exterior from water damage, it’s important to make repairs as soon as possible. Writing off a few missing brackets or gutters pulling away from the fascia as minor issues will only lead to bigger problems that become more expensive to fix.
Replace missing hardware; add extra brackets to sagging gutter sections to provide temporary support; remove tree branches, twigs, etc. from the roof and debris from the gutter system. Pay special attention to the areas around the gutter outlet and the bottom elbow of the downspouts to ensure there are no clogs or blockages.
For DIYers, repairing small holes, filling cracks and caulking seams with the appropriate sealant, and tightening or replacing missing hardware can be an effective, budget friendly solution.
Call a professional for more serious issues such as large rust patches, misalignment, extensive sagging, several missing gutter sections, or noticeable denting that constricts the flow of runoff.
Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Bad weather can wreak havoc on the roof and gutters. After a storm, a visual inspection by homeowners is cost-effective home maintenance to catch small problems before they become expensive issues. However, if you haven’t had a professional contractor do a roof inspection in the last two to five years, get one done after the most recent violent storm. A roofing technician will thoroughly inspect the roof and gutters, give you a detailed assessment of the damage, and offer you an estimate or quote for what it will cost to repair.
