A quick gutter inspection a couple of times a year tells you whether your gutters are clean and doing their job. Look for four warning signs: sagging sections, water spilling over the sides, puddles or cracks at the foundation, and washed-out landscaping. Then clean the system safely and check how it performs in the next rain.
It matters because gutters perform a critical function. They carry rain and melted snow and ice to the ground so it does not damage your roof, siding, foundation or landscaping. Gutters in poor condition cannot do that.
Warning Signs to Look For During a Gutter Inspection
Sagging gutters
Leaves, twigs and pine needles add weight. If gutters are not cleaned, that weight gradually makes them sag, and sections can eventually fall off the house. A sag can also mean a hanger has broken or is missing.
Water flowing over the sides
Water should travel through the gutters to the downspouts. If you see it pouring over the edge and falling straight to the ground when it rains, the gutters are clogged.
Puddles or cracks at the foundation
Overflowing water collects next to the house. Standing water there can lead to foundation cracks, a flooded basement and mold, all of which are expensive to repair.
Damaged landscaping
Water cascading from the gutters can drown plants and erode soil. Damaged flowers or bushes along the house are often the first sign of a gutter problem, well before anything shows at the foundation.
How to Clean and Check Your Gutters Safely
Dress for the job
Before you get on the ladder, put on gloves to protect your hands from dirt, bugs and sharp objects. Wear rubber-soled shoes for grip and goggles to shield your eyes from debris.
Practice ladder safety
Always tell someone that you will be working on a ladder. Use the right ladder for the house: a step ladder for a single-story home, an extension ladder for two stories or more.
Clean the roof first
Work from the top down. If you clean the gutters and leave debris on the roof, the next rain will wash it straight into them and you will be cleaning them again.
Inspect for defects
Once the gutters are clear, look closely at them. Cracks, holes and sagging sections should be repaired quickly, before they turn into bigger problems.
Check for water problems after it rains
Gutters can look fine and still have a problem. After a rainstorm, walk around the house and look for pooling water. It tends to collect near sections that have come apart or need repair. Our post on checking gutters for damage after a storm has more on what to look for.
Ways to Cut Down on Gutter Maintenance
If your gutters are damaged beyond repair, seamless aluminum gutters are a common replacement. Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to rust and affordable. Gutters with seams give leaves and debris a place to catch, and seamless gutters avoid that.
Gutter guards are another option. They are covers that sit on top of the gutters, keep leaves and other objects out and let water pass through. With guards in place, cleaning is needed less often.
Check What the Water Has Touched
Gutters that have been overflowing for a while usually leave a trail. Look at the doors, windows and steps below them. Entries that take a lot of water can be protected with door canopies and window awnings.
Frames that have gone soft or drafty may be due for vinyl replacement windows or new entry doors and patio doors. Railings on wet steps deserve a look as well. If they are rusted or loose, new aluminum or wrought iron railings make the steps safer.
Next Step: Fix What the Inspection Found
Aladdin Inc. has served Connecticut homeowners since 1949. If your inspection turned up damaged doors, windows, railings or entryways, contact Aladdin at (203) 776-9996 to get an estimate.