With the heavy rains and occasional snowmelt we experience in Northwestern Wisconsin and surrounding areas, overflowing rain gutters can be a common problem for homeowners. While it may not seem like a serious problem at first, if left untreated, improper moisture runoff can result in your home’s foundation eroding or siding discoloration.
Gutter overflow can be hard to spot unless you notice it during a storm. Look for the telltale signs of a disheveled landscape and pooling water to spot any trouble areas in your gutter system. Fixing the issue could be as easy as clearing out any debris and may only require a simple solution. Overflowing gutters damage your landscaping, foundation, roofing and siding, so it’s best to find the solution and deal with it immediately.
If your gutters are overflowing, contact the experts at Asher for a free consultation and replace your gutter system with our premier gutter solutions featuring the gutter helmet.
Signs and Costs of Overflowing Gutters
The purpose of rain gutters is to direct water away from your home’s foundation. Eavestrough overflow occurs if something blocks the flow of water, causing it to spill over the sides. Over time, this can cause the underlying boards to rot and give way. As the water cascades down, it may also discolor and damage your siding.
Then, the water ends up in your yard, where it can wash away your landscaping, crack your sidewalk or erode your home’s foundation. Look out for the following signs of overflowing gutters before costly damage occurs:
- Erosion of the foundation
- Washed-out or flooded landscaping
- Rotting wood in your eaves
- Discolored or damaged siding
Why do my Gutters Overflow in Heavy Rain?
If your gutters can’t handle heavy rain, it can quickly lead to more serious issues. Let’s explore the three top causes of rain gutter overflow:
1. Clogs
The most common reason for overflowing gutters is a clog in the gutter or downspout. These can be hard to spot, especially if your problem area is on a second-story roof. In the past, climbing up with a ladder was the only solution, but today you can use a drone or an extended camera pole to get the same views. If your gutters are clean but still overflowing, check for another cause.
2. 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. Without that slight angle, water will collect in your gutter and cause it to sag. A gutter not draining will slowly pull away from the house and eventually collapse.
3. Gutters are Too Narrow
In order to stop rain from overshooting a gutter that is clean and pitched right, you might need to look into getting a wider gutter. Homes in areas with frequent heavy rainfall are usually equipped with a wide gutter to collect the torrents of water before they spill over the edge. If you’re experiencing overflow only during intense storms, your issue is likely a narrow gutter.
How to Fix Overflowing Gutters
You can try a few things to fix your gutters yourself, but professional services are recommended to ensure a lasting solution and safety during the installation process. To keep your gutters draining rainwater effectively, you can:
Remove Debris From Inside the Gutters
The most common gutter overflow solution is to remove the debris that collects on your roof and gets washed down into the guttering. You can take a ladder up to the gutters to clean them by hand or try one of our ladder-free cleaning methods.
Once you have checked and cleared the horizontal gutters, use a flashlight to examine the downspout to ensure a clear path for the water to flow through. If necessary, the downspout can be easily taken apart to remove blockages and reassembled with a few screws.
Check the Pitch and Tilt
Check the tilt of your gutters using a level to ensure they’re correctly angled for drainage. Next, check the pitch toward your downspouts. Ideally, your gutters should slope down by 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch for every 10 feet of length.
If your pitch is too flat, the water won’t drain out — if it’s too high, the water will splash out as it reaches the downspout. If you have construction experience, you can rehang your gutters yourself. If not, it is safer to call a professional gutter contractor.
Install Wider Gutters
If your pitch and tilt are correct and you have no internal gutter problems, such as stuck debris, your next solution could be to install wider gutters. They will be able to direct more water away from your home, and are also less likely to get clogged. If your gutters are old and showing signs of age, seamless gutters are a great way to boost curb appeal and give your house a fresh, new look.
Gutter Maintenance: How to Prevent Overflows Before They Start
Overflowing gutters are common and something most homeowners deal with each spring and fall. If you’re experiencing this seasonal occurrence, don’t fret. Most solutions can be tackled as part of your routine home DIY with minimal expertise. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite maintenance tips to keep your gutters flowing smoothly year-round.
- Clear gutters seasonally: Gutters should be cleaned at the end of fall and rechecked before the spring rains begin.
- Prevent ice dams: Ice buildup in your gutters can cause them to sag and pull away from your home, resulting in an overflow in spring. Installing a Helmet Heat® system provides a reliable solution to prevent ice dams in your gutters.
- Use a gutter guard: Ensure the gutter guard you are using is fitted correctly and isn’t causing overflow by preventing rain from collecting as it should.
- Invest in Gutter Helmet®: Gutter Helmet® is a premium solution barrier to prevent gutter overflow issues.
Explore Our Range of Gutter Guard Options
Because every home in our region is unique, Asher Home Exteriors offers a variety of gutter guard options to keep debris out of your gutters. The best gutter protection depends on your specific roof, landscaping and budget.
Six gutter guard options to consider include:
- Panel cover gutter guards: Solid gutter panels deflect debris while allowing water to flow through a small gap.
- Brush gutter guards: Bristled inserts are placed inside gutters to trap debris while allowing water to flow through.
- Foam gutter guards: Snug-fitting foam inserts allow water to pass through while keeping debris out.
- Gutter screens: Metal or plastic screens are fitted on top of gutters to keep leaves and large debris out.
- Micro mesh gutter guards: Fine mesh screens that block small debris, including pine needles and sand, from entering the gutter.
- Gutter Helmet®: This option offers long-lasting gutter protection. Its patented nose-forward design eliminates clogs and doesn’t need cleaning, ensuring maintenance-free, flowing gutters for years to come.
The Future of Gutters: New Gutter Technologies
Asher Lasting Exteriors is committed to bringing the latest, most effective gutter technology to homeowners in Northwest Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota and Iowa. Exciting innovations continue to transform the industry. Interesting advancements and technologies to look out for include:
- New gutter materials: Enhanced aluminum alloys, advanced coatings and eco-friendly gutters made from recycled materials are revolutionizing gutter manufacturing.
- Innovative gutter designs: Seamless gutters with improved flow, integrated designs with roof protection systems and hidden hanger systems will enhance performance and curb appeal.
- Smart gutter systems: Automated gutter heating and gutters fitted with sensors to alert homeowners to ice dams and clogs have become increasingly sophisticated, providing greater control and peace of mind.
Get Gutter Helmet® From Asher Lasting Exteriors to Prevent Gutter Overflow
Asher Lasting Exteriors has been servicing gutters and home exteriors since 1974, and we’ve built our reputation on excellent customer service. With locations in Onalaska and Eau Claire, we serve homeowners throughout Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. We understand that gutter replacement is a significant investment, and we want you to feel confident choosing new home gutters and guard systems that provide long-term protection.
If you’re struggling with overflowing gutters year after year, a Gutter Helmet® system offers a lasting solution. Call the experts at Asher Lasting Exteriors and replace your gutter system with our premier gutter solutions featuring the Gutter Helmet® gutter guard. Contact us at (715) 402-4876 for more information about any of our innovative gutter products or request an obligation-free estimate today!
Check out our resource section for more tips and advice on exterior home maintenance and renovations.
