A poorly pitched gutter will cause the gutter to overflow somewhere in the middle of the gutter run. A way to spot this happening, without being outside when it is raining, is look for mold or mildew stains.
One common approach is to install a rain barrel or a rain chain, which can capture the excess water and direct it to a desired location. You can also try extending your current downspout with a diverter or an extension piece.
Overflowing gutters in heavy rain may be a sign that your guttering system is inadequate or has been installed poorly. If your property does not have enough downpipes the guttering may not be able to cope with large amounts of rainwater and remove it from the gutter quick enough.
A garden hose can also do the trick, depending on the house size. You need to be able to send the surge of water down the gutters or drains to force out any dirt and debris, but be aware this will create more mess. Some waste is easier to remove with a trowel, a small plastic scoop, or even by hand.
Your gutter system can't contain water if it has holes or cracks that cause leaks. Over time, the gutters can become corroded and will need to be repaired or replaced to function properly. For smaller holes and cracks, waterproof sealant or caulk may work.
Clogged gutters can do much damage outside your home, but did you know they could also cause problems inside your home? Gutter clogs and overflow can cause detrimental leaks in your roof and ceiling and cause unhealthy mold.
Neglecting gutter maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the line. Gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year – in the spring and in the fall. If you have pine trees near your home, needles will need to be removed every three months to reduce the potential for clogging the gutters and downspouts.
In heavy rains, gutter guard debris will cause water to flow over the top of the gutters causing costly damages to your home. Overflowing gutters mean thousands of gallons of water pooling around your foundation. Additionally the wood behind the gutter will begin to rot, and the gutters will warp.
Downspouts on large gutters
If your downspout measures 2” by 3” it can have a hard time handling the increased volume. Adding another downspout can evenly distribute the water to avoid risk of failure.
De-clogging and cleaning your gutters yourself can help reduce gutter overflow. However, it's best to hire a professional to service them properly. They can also inspect other parts, such as the downspout mesh screen. It's a good idea to schedule gutter cleaning at least twice a year.
No, it is not normal for water to drip behind gutters. This usually indicates that the gutters are misaligned with the fascia board or loose screws in the gutter hanger system, causing water to seep. Check these possibilities and address any problems before reinstalling the gutter system.
Simply either find a stiff piece of wire around the house, or buy a plumbing snake, and insert it into the blocked downpipe as far as it can go. To unblock a downpipe using this method you simply: Insert the wire as far as it can go down into the downpipe. Start rotating the wire and moving it around.
Incorrect Pitch or Tilt
If your gutters are overflowing but not clogged, the next thing to check is the pitch and tilt of your gutters. As the rain collects in your gutters, it should run towards the downspout because gutters are installed with a slight pitch in that direction.
To address debris clogging, options include using a leaf blower, a power hose, or manually cleaning the gutters. Installing splash and mesh guards can help prevent overflow caused by water travelling too quickly or debris falling into the gutters.
How Do I Solve the Problem? If your gutter has been previously installed, rather than taking it down and redoing it, you can easily place a small strip of metal flashing under the drip edge and over the back of the gutter(as shown by the illustration at the bottom of this page) so the water will shed into the gutter.
Gutter repair costs $100 to $450 on average, depending on the material, length, and damage. A gutter pitch adjustment costs $75 to $200 to realign. Sagging gutter repairs cost $75 to $300. Gutter leak repair costs $100 to $225.
This can be easily fixed by cleaning the guttering and clearing out the blockage. If the leak persists however, it is likely that there is either a crack or damaged seal that needs repairing. For this task the two best options are roof and gutter sealant or weather-proofing tape.
While some small amount of standing water can be normal, it should be no more than what would dry up after only a few hours in the sun. Anything more than a quarter of an inch of standing water in small spots can lead to algae growth and water damage.
Overflows at the Downspout Connection
If you notice water gushing back out from the drain pipe or leaking out from the seams on the adapter, that is a sign that there are clogs in your underground drain.
If you want to tackle the blockage yourself, you can use a drain rod or plumber's auger – also known as a plumber's snake. If the cause of the blockage is debris and leaves, simply put some protective gloves on and remove the debris manually.