Rain gutters are important in any area where heavy rains are common. They prevent the rain from running down the side of your home, damaging your siding, and causing your home's foundation to deteriorate. Unfortunately, there are some things that can keep rain gutters from working as they should. If you think any of these problems might be going on with your gutters, you should call a gutter specialist.
Clogs and Blockages
Leaves, pine needles, shingle debris, and other grime tends to accumulate in gutters as time goes on. When your gutters are full of this stuff, they do not drain properly. You may be able to clean the gutters out yourself if you catch the problem early, and if you're comfortable climbing a ladder to reach inside the gutters. However, if the gutters do not run clear after you attempt this, there is probably a blockage in one of the downspouts. These blockages are harder to remove, and you should let a professional deal with them.
Holes
If you look at the underside of your gutters, do you see any holes? They may not seem like a huge deal since water is still, more or less, flowing through the gutter. However, some water will fall out of that hole, and it will end up exactly where you don't want it — along the foundation of your home. So, it is important to have a gutter company come plug any holes in your gutters. They usually do this by putting a patch inside the gutter.
Wrong Pitch
Your gutters should be pitched towards the downspouts. In other words, it should look like your gutter is angled slightly downhill towards the downspout. If the gutter is pitched the wrong way or is not pitched at all, then the water won't drain properly towards the downspout. Sometimes, gutters are installed at the wrong pitch accidentally, but this can also happen if a fastener comes loose or is broken. A gutter company can measure the current pitch of your gutters. They can then adjust the pitch, if needed, to ensure your gutters drain as they should instead of letting water pour out over the sides.
Gutters are a great feature to have on your home, but they only work if they are free from clogs and holes and if they are pitched in the right direction. Don't hesitate to contact a rain gutter company if you are worried about these issues.
