You clean the gutters twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. It’s part of your regular home maintenance routine. However, things can change between gutter cleanings. Regularly inspecting the gutter system will help you identify any potential problems and prioritize necessary repairs. If you’re reluctant to haul out the ladder when you’re not cleaning the gutters, here’s how to check for gutter damage from the ground.
Using Binoculars
To inspect the outside of the gutter system, grab a pair of binoculars. Start at the beginning of the gutter run opposite the downspout. Walk alongside each length of guttering, and look for the following:
- Visible buildup of debris
- Sagging
- Sections pulling away from fascia
- Sections pulling away from each other (separating)
- Dents
- Water stains on siding, soffit, fascia
- Cracked seams and/or missing caulking
- Rust marks or streaks
- Disconnected downspout (not attached to gutter outlet)
If you can see debris poking above the gutter edge, you will want to investigate whether if it’s just a matter of cleaning the gutters or if it’s a symptom of a more serious issue. Any one of the above signs, particularly sagging, dents, and missing downspouts, are typically priority repairs.
Using a Smartphone or Camera
To inspect the inside of the gutters from the ground, use a smartphone or camera. Attach the phone to a universal phone mount and then secure it to an extension pole or broom handle.
Telescoping poles designed for cameras are flexible and versatile, ideal for accessing hard-to-reach places.
Whether you choose a smartphone or camera to look for gutter damage inside the gutters, once it has been securely attached, raise it up over the eavestrough and angle it until you get a good view. Things to check for include:
- Large gaps, crack, or holes
- Debris buildup around gutter outlets blocking water flow
- Obstructions such as toys, balls, and nests
- Worn sealant/caulking on end caps, seams, or joints
- Damaged sections
- Standing water
When it’s Raining
A good time to see how runoff flows through the gutter system is when it’s raining. Pull on boots and grab an umbrella or a raincoat with a hood. Using the naked eye or binoculars, stand directly underneath the gutters and inspect the gutters for:
- Water overflowing from the top of the gutter channel
- Water flowing behind the gutters in between fascia and the back of the gutter section
- Runoff overshooting – water not landing inside the gutters
- Runoff escaping from worn seams or gaps where two sections are joined together
After a Storm
Check the gutters and downspouts from the ground after a storm. Wind, hail, heavy rainfall, and snow can loosen brackets, make sections disappear, and dent aluminum gutters.
