Sometimes, it's blatantly obvious that we have a gutter-related issue (or that we need an entirely new roof, as is the case in the adjoining photograph). Hopefully that's not you right now! But sometimes, it's less obvious, and requires some analysis and investigation.
What makes this task even harder is that sometimes it's not easy to climb up to the roof and spend a lot of time trying to discern what the issue might be. Gutters are one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type of things... The problem is, we may assume they "ain't broke" - when in fact they are. We just may not know. So what are some signs you have malfunctioning gutters that may need some love? Read on and we'll talk through some of the big signs. |
Visible Damage
Let's start with the obvious. If you've had a storm, or structural damage to your house, damage to gutters will likely be easy to spot. If the gutters are still attached to your home, they may be dented, or bent, and could be pouring water down. You know what to do - either give us a call, or talk to the contractor working on repairs about how you'd like to tackle the gutters. This could be a good time to upgrade.
Water Cascading Down from Gutters
Above, we mentioned storms. Storms (that produce rain) are actually helpful in a way, in that they allow us to verify whether or not our gutters are functioning properly. In a heavy rainstorm, you shouldn't see much water coming off our roof - as the water should be going into the gutters. If you observe water cascading off your roof and not going into the gutter, there's a good chance you have a problem. Generally, gutters can become filled, meaning there isn't any place for the water to go. This could indicate a clogged gutter - meaning you should schedule a cleaning, or inspect yourself.
Water Stains Near Gutters
Sometimes, you may not observe visible issues with your gutters - but you may see water stains/water marks near the gutters or downspouts. While these can be caused by a number of things, the likely culprit is water. Just like a water leak from your ceiling inside will result in stained paint and an unattractive blot on your ceiling, water damage from gutters can leave similar marks on external paint. Try and trace the problem from the gutters down, or look at the patterns of the stain to identify a source. If you can find one, you'll be able to remedy the issue, and either conduct maintenance or reinstall gutter to stop the leak. This step can be challenging - and it may make more sense to call our team out to assist, and look at this issue while conducting a cleaning.
Evidence in your Lawn or Yard
When water pours down from a high level, it has a tendency to damage or disrupt anything underneath. If you have dirt, sod, or mulch around your home, it can be pretty obvious that a huge volume of water has poured onto or into those surfaces. But where is the water coming from, and why? Again, perform some investigation here and observe the location of any ground disturbance. Look skywards and see if you can identify issues with the gutters. If you can't see anything, it may be worth giving us a call. We can perform a quick check and ensure nothing is causing water to pool, and cascade down from the gutters above.
Molding
Water creates mold on many surfaces. Functioning gutters should move water away from your home - and keep the walls and eaves dry. Fascia board, and other roof components should not come into contact with water. So if they're wet, and molding, it's a sign you have a problem. Like other courses of remediation, see if you can find a source of dampness. This is challenging, as there may not be a problem with the gutters at all. Depending on its location, the moistness could come from rain or inherent dampness.
Mill Creek Gutter Pros is ready and willing to help today. We look forward to learning about your project, and working hand in hand to keep your home, and Washington looking beautiful! Call today!
Let's start with the obvious. If you've had a storm, or structural damage to your house, damage to gutters will likely be easy to spot. If the gutters are still attached to your home, they may be dented, or bent, and could be pouring water down. You know what to do - either give us a call, or talk to the contractor working on repairs about how you'd like to tackle the gutters. This could be a good time to upgrade.
Water Cascading Down from Gutters
Above, we mentioned storms. Storms (that produce rain) are actually helpful in a way, in that they allow us to verify whether or not our gutters are functioning properly. In a heavy rainstorm, you shouldn't see much water coming off our roof - as the water should be going into the gutters. If you observe water cascading off your roof and not going into the gutter, there's a good chance you have a problem. Generally, gutters can become filled, meaning there isn't any place for the water to go. This could indicate a clogged gutter - meaning you should schedule a cleaning, or inspect yourself.
Water Stains Near Gutters
Sometimes, you may not observe visible issues with your gutters - but you may see water stains/water marks near the gutters or downspouts. While these can be caused by a number of things, the likely culprit is water. Just like a water leak from your ceiling inside will result in stained paint and an unattractive blot on your ceiling, water damage from gutters can leave similar marks on external paint. Try and trace the problem from the gutters down, or look at the patterns of the stain to identify a source. If you can find one, you'll be able to remedy the issue, and either conduct maintenance or reinstall gutter to stop the leak. This step can be challenging - and it may make more sense to call our team out to assist, and look at this issue while conducting a cleaning.
Evidence in your Lawn or Yard
When water pours down from a high level, it has a tendency to damage or disrupt anything underneath. If you have dirt, sod, or mulch around your home, it can be pretty obvious that a huge volume of water has poured onto or into those surfaces. But where is the water coming from, and why? Again, perform some investigation here and observe the location of any ground disturbance. Look skywards and see if you can identify issues with the gutters. If you can't see anything, it may be worth giving us a call. We can perform a quick check and ensure nothing is causing water to pool, and cascade down from the gutters above.
Molding
Water creates mold on many surfaces. Functioning gutters should move water away from your home - and keep the walls and eaves dry. Fascia board, and other roof components should not come into contact with water. So if they're wet, and molding, it's a sign you have a problem. Like other courses of remediation, see if you can find a source of dampness. This is challenging, as there may not be a problem with the gutters at all. Depending on its location, the moistness could come from rain or inherent dampness.
Mill Creek Gutter Pros is ready and willing to help today. We look forward to learning about your project, and working hand in hand to keep your home, and Washington looking beautiful! Call today!