Gutter Overflow: Troubleshooting and Permanent Fixes
Have you ever seen a gutter system that was actively overflowing? During a heavy rainstorm, water enters the gutters, only to flow over the sides at a rapid pace, eventually soaking the ground directly underneath the gutters near the home’s foundation. It’s an eyesore and, quite frankly, pointless to have the gutter system if it’s overflowing.
Gutter overflow poses many dangers for homeowners that can result in costly repairs. If you have overflowing gutters or you’re trying to prevent them, continue reading for some troubleshooting and permanent fixes to overcome gutter overflow.
Troubleshooting Overflowing Gutters
Gutters overflow for several reasons: previous storm damage that disconnected sections of the gutter, excess rainfall that the gutters can’t keep up with, ice dams, clogged gutters, and many more. Storms can wreak havoc on a gutter system that isn’t made from a durable material or a sectional gutter system, causing the gutter material to dent and sections to come undone and sag.
Some gutter systems can’t keep up with rapid rainfall, causing heavy precipitation or snowmelt to flow over the sides since it can’t all fit inside. Ice dams form a blockage inside the gutter, preventing water from flowing through the gutters, to the downspouts, and away from the home. Clogged gutters are the number one reason why gutters overflow since a clog or blockage impedes water flow, forcing the water to overflow. These other things can also cause gutter overflow:
Other factors contribute to gutter overflow, but the above are some of the top things we’ve seen here at Home Evolutions VA – trust us, we’ve seen it all. Overflowing gutters can cause costly damage to a home, so it’s best to get your gutters repaired or replaced immediately.
Dangers of Overflowing Gutters
We’ve mentioned that overflowing gutters can pose many risks and dangers to a home if not repaired. A properly functioning gutter system works hard to prevent water damage and drainage issues. However, overflowing gutters do the complete opposite, causing water damage. Below are some dangers of overflowing gutters:
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Landscape damage
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Roof damage
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Foundation damage
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Damaged soffit/fascia
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Rust/damaged gutters
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Wood rot
All of the above can be costly to repair, leaving homeowners with a nightmare. Some can even lead to structural damage, mold, and other serious damage that’s tough to repair. Troubleshooting gutter overflow is important to prevent the dangers of overflowing gutters.
Permanent Fixes for Overflowing Gutters
A temporary fix for overflowing gutters is to clean your gutters regularly to avoid clogged gutters, ice dams, pests, and other debris that can get trapped inside a half-round gutter. Of course, cleaning gutters without gutter guards is a temporary fix that will need to be done often to ensure they’re free and clear of debris, or they’ll continue to overflow if neglected.
If you feel comfortable cleaning your gutters, great. However, it’s a dangerous task since the use of a tall ladder and frequent climbing up and down while holding a heavy bucket is required. Therefore, consider asking a friend for help or hire a professional gutter cleaning service like Home Evolutions VA. Our gutter cleaning and repair service will get your gutters sparkling clean, helping to temporarily stop gutter overflow. We can also recommend repairs if we spot damage while cleaning them – another convenient service we offer that can help temporarily stop overflowing gutters.
If you want a permanent fix for overflowing gutters, consider installing seamless gutters with gutter guards or the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. At Home Evolutions VA, we install top-of-the-line seamless gutters that eliminate the chance for debris to get trapped in tiny gaps like what often happens in sectional gutters. Pair your new seamless gutters with our Xtreme Mesh Gutter Guard System, made of surgical-grade stainless steel which blocks debris from entering the gutters, resulting in cleaner gutters that don’t overflow.
Another permanent fix for overflowing gutters is the K-Guard System. K-Guard is a complete system with multiple components that work together to keep debris like leaves and pine needles out so water can flush through the system quickly. With its innovative curved hood and seamless design, K-Guard prevents all debris from entering the gutters, ensuring no clogs can form. The result? Rainwater can flow freely through the system, never overflowing.
If your home needs gutters installed or you need to replace your existing gutters and want to prevent gutter overflow, consider installing seamless gutters and guards or the K-Guard System from Home Evolutions VA.
We’ve been installing and repairing gutter systems for decades with tens of thousands of happy customers in Lynchburg and surrounding areas. We can help with all your home improvement needs, whether you need help with an insurance claim or a quote for installing a new roof or gutter system. We’re here to help every step of the way throughout the entire process. Contact us today for a free estimate!