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We all love the soothing sound of rain. However, it becomes quite the opposite when we see our gutters and downspouts being overrun by water. If you are facing this issue, it’s time to make changes to protect your home from water damage.
At McClellands Contracting and Roofing LLC, we’re here to save the day! With this blog post, we aim to provide you with the knowledge you need to control, fix, and prevent gutter and downspout overflows.
Prevent Gutters From Overflowing In Heavy Rain ⛈️
Here is what you need to know to immediately handle an overflowing gutter system during dreary, rainy weather.
Do A Quick Clearing 🧹
Use your hands or a scoop of some sort to clear away any visible debris clogging the gutter or downspout openings. Also, ensure that the flow of water is not hindered due to blocked paths in and around the house.
Practice Emergency Diversion ↪️
In extreme cases where a quick cleaning isn’t enough, remove the lower end of one or two downspouts temporarily and replace them with temporary pipework diverted away from sensitive areas like around the basement.
While these may sound like easy measures to take, you should know that they are just temporary fixes to prevent flooding. Frequent and continuous gutter and downspout overflow can cause damage to your home if it’s not handled properly using long-term solutions.
Forms of Damage Caused By Downspout and Gutter Overflow
Besides damaging the floor and landscaping, overflowing gutters pose a severe threat to your home’s structural strength. Here are the details you need to know:
⚠️ Foundation Deterioration
When gutters overflow, rainwater streams down the siding and pools directly at the base of the building. Over time, this gradually erodes the soil and the integrity of even the sturdiest foundations, leading to expensive repairs or replacements.
⚠️ Basement Flooding
Excess water around the foundation of your home can easily find its way into the basement. As it starts pooling there, it causes all sorts of damage to your belongings and the basement floor and ceiling. If you have a finished basement, it’ll be even more destructive!
⚠️ Wall and Siding Degradation
The endless flow of water down the exterior walls of your home slowly wears down siding materials, leading to rapid deterioration of the walls.
⚠️ Mold and Algae Issues
Another consequence is mold and algae growth, which is started by damp conditions created by water cascading along walls and stored in blocked gutters. The spread of these fungi poses substantial health risks, such as allergies and respiratory issues, while also reducing the look of your home.
Without a doubt, coming face-to-face with any one or more of these issues is enough reason to take the right steps to fix your gutter and downspout overflowing issues. But in order to devise the proper solutions, you need to understand why your gutters are overflowing in the first place.
Common Causes Of Gutters Overflow
Here are some reasons why your gutters might be overflowing:
1. Clogged Gutters 🍂
Undeniably, the most common cause of an overflowing gutter is clogs. Debris may accumulate in the gutter system over time, especially if you have trees close to your home, which prevents water from flowing freely through the drainage system. Leaves, dirt, branches, or even shingle granules can add to this mess.
Also read : 5 Ways To Deal With Clogged Gutters (&3 Tips For Preventation)
2. Poor Installation or The Wrong-Sized System ⛏️
Another contributor to gutter overflow is improper installation or using the wrong-sized gutter channels. If your gutter system is not large enough to handle the flow of water off your roof, or if it’s installed without the appropriate slope for efficient runoff towards the downpipes, overflow of water is bound to happen sooner or later.
3. Damaged Gutters 💥
Gutters may also overflow due to physical damage such as cracks or breaks in the channels, permitting water to leak out rather than directing it away safely via downspouts.
4. Maintenance Neglect And Natural Factors ❄️
Last but not least, let’s not overlook simple wear-and-tear along with other natural elements like ice dams during the winter, bird nest interference, and persistent heavy rainfall.
To achieve permanent solutions you must contact a reliable local gutter contractor at the earliest convenience.
Why Should You Hire Reliable Professionals For Proper Gutter Overflow Solutions?
With specialized know-how and equipment, gutter professionals like us can perform gutter repairs and replacements with mastery and accuracy.
Thorough Inspections For Accurate Solutions 🔎
To start, an undeniable advantage of professional service is the ability of professionals to accurately diagnose the issue at hand. Given that overflowing gutters can be a result of various issues, it’s essential to understand the source of the problem before attempting a solution. By using purpose-built tools and techniques, gutter contractors can pinpoint precise problems that would otherwise fly under the radar.
The Correct Repair and Replacement Techniques 🛠️
Seasoned experts have a clear advantage here, thanks to their extensive experience in handling numerous cases of different complexities. Having learned multiple tricks of the trade allows professionals to tailor solutions for each unique situation, setting them apart from your average handyman.
Post-Service Care 📝
Specialists offer end-to-end support, covering all facets from the initial planning through to the execution and post-care instructions. This will help you manage future problems better and avoid the overflow of downspouts and gutters.
Efficient Service ⏲️
Experts employ their skills and use advanced tools that dramatically cut down project completion time compared to manual methods. This way, you can protect your home from severe damage that may have otherwise been caused due to delayed work.
Safety Assurance 🦺
Professionals adhere strictly to safety regulations and local building codes while working at heights. They utilize specific machinery and safety gear that are necessary for these types of repairs.
Quality Assurance ⭐
Hiring industry-certified professionals guarantees high quality work complemented by multiple benefits, like manufacturer and workmanship warranties. This safeguards your investment if anything goes wrong with the materials, or at the site.
Warranty and Insurance Benefits 💲
Most home insurance companies make authorized repairs and replacements a mandatory condition for getting a claim approved. So, make sure you are hiring a licensed and experienced gutter contractor for the job. Many warranties will also be void if you choose to do repairs yourself instead of hiring a certified professional.
Steps Homeowners Should Take To Prevent Gutter Overflow
Following an expert’s advice is the best way to minimize gutter issues. Here are some easy ways to make sure you don’t face these problems anytime soon:
#1 Install Gutter Guards & Downspout Screens
Investing in high-quality gutter guards and downspout screens is a wise decision. These products are made to form a protective cover, preventing debris from entering the gutters while allowing rainwater to flow smoothly in and out of the downspouts. This reduces the time and frequency of gutter cleaning and helps keep the gutter system clear and efficient.
#2 Practice Seasonal Maintenance
Seasonal inspections and cleaning are essential for keeping your gutters in good condition. After high winds, heavy rain, and storms, inspect the gutters for debris that may have accumulated in the channels. Seasonal maintenance ensures that your gutter system is prepared for changing weather patterns and remains effective throughout the year.
#3 Correct Gutter Pitch
Your gutters should hang at the proper pitch or slope to facilitate the swift movement of incoming rainfall toward the downspouts. The correct gutter angles ensure that gravity aids in the efficient drainage of water, preventing water accumulation and potential damage to the gutter system. Your contractor will tell you the current condition of your gutter system and recommend solutions accordingly. Do not ignore their advice if you want to save your money and future headaches!
We hope you find this guide helpful for managing, repairing, and preventing downspout and gutter overflows. Whether you’re facing an immediate crisis or aiming for long-term prevention, follow these tips for durable results within your budget!
Call Pittsburgh’s Most Reliable Gutter Professionals For Help!
At McClellands Contracting and Roofing LLC, we’ve seen how water can cause damage to our homes in Pittsburgh. That’s what inspired us to work with honesty and dedication to help our community. We’ve been providing expert roofing, gutter, and exterior services to Pittsburgh homeowners for many years. For expert advice or reliable gutter services in Pittsburgh, you can trust your GAF Master Elite® contractor, McClellands Contracting and Roofing LLC. Call us at (412) 353-5660, and talk to one of our gutter experts today!
