Why is My Gutter Dripping?

The exterior of your home is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting you, your family, and all your valuables from inclement weather. Therefore, when something is damaged or not working properly, regardless of how urgent the problem may appear, you run the risk of causing damage to your home. Not only can this diminish your curbside appeal, but it can also cost you a lot of money in unexpected repairs.

And while some concerns are more evident than others, if you have begun to notice the gutters of your home leaking or dripping, you may be wondering what is causing your gutters to do so in the first place. Therefore, if you want to learn more about gutter leaks and how to fix them, look through our complete guide.

Why is my gutter dripping?

Your gutter system is a key element on the exterior of your home that collects rainwater and diverts it away from your property. This helps ensure that excess amounts of water don’t seep into your home or foundation and cause damage. However, over the years and throughout each season, your gutters can begin to lose their functionality if they are not taken care of properly, causing them to leak and drip.

Therefore, the next time it is raining, and you notice additional water falling from your roof, stains on the walls, ceiling, in the basement, or on the siding of your home, here are some of the most common reasons why your gutters may not be working properly.

1. Your Gutters are Clogged

Often, one of the first reasons why your gutters may be dripping or leaking is because they are clogged. During storm season, it’s common for your gutters to collect fallen leaves, branches, and other debris, restricting the flow of water. As there is nowhere for the water to go, it can end up pooling in specific areas; thus, causing the water to drip over the edges and potentially seep into the foundation of your property.

2. They May Have Holes

The next reason why your gutters may be leaking is because they have holes in them. Overtime, the metal can begin to corrode and crack, causing them to drip water and not drain properly. And while smaller holes are capable of being patched up, larger ones may require you to replace your gutters all together.
 

3. Your Gutter Hangers are Loose

Furthermore, while your gutters are securely attached to the sides of your property, they may loosen with time if not installed properly. When this happens, the collected water can spill over the edge as the weight of the water shifts the gutter system and becomes unstable.

4. The Joints of the Gutters are Loose or Improperly Sealed

When fully installed, your gutters may appear to be one seamless unit. However, in reality, your gutter system might be installed in parts and sealed at the connecting points. Overtime, these joints can become separated, especially in the corners. On the other hand, they may have been improperly sealed during the installation process.

5. Your Gutters Have an Incorrect Slope

When installed properly, your gutters should be placed at a natural downward slope to ensure the water is able to drain into the downspouts. However, your gutters can become prone to sagging over time, especially when they collect water causing the direction of the gutters to shift and spill over the sides.

How to Stop your Gutters from Dripping  

Once you’ve diagnosed the cause of your dripping gutters, it’s important that homeowners fix the source of the leak as soon as possible to help avoid more damage. You may choose to contact a professional gutter company to help you with the repairs or replace your gutters altogether, however there are also ways that you can stop your gutters from dripping on your own. Here is how you can do so:
 

Step 1: Clean your gutters of any debris

The first step to repairing your leaky gutters is to clean them by removing any built-up debris. Then, scrub the insides of your gutters with a coarse brush and a bit of water to remove any stuck-on dirt and moss.

Step 2: Fill in Any Cracks or Holes

Next, if you notice any cracks or holes along the gutters themselves, you will want to fill them in, then smoothing out the surrounding area to ensure a tight seal.

Step 3: Check Your Downspouts

Furthermore, you may wish to also check on the downspouts of your gutter system for any damage as well. For this, you will need to use a power drill to remove any screws and other hardware that connect the downspout pieces together. Next, clean out the downspout to ensure it is free of any debris before reattaching it and sealing it with a silicone caulk.

Step 4: Reseal Your Corners

On the other hand, if you notice broken seals on the corners or other connecting points on your gutter system, use a silicone caulk to reseal the area.

Step 5: Retighten Gutter Hangers

Lastly, make sure your gutter hangers are held into place by checking the hardware to ensure a tight finish.

Other Tips

Moreover, to ensure your gutter system remains intact throughout the year, here are some other tips you can follow to help maintain your system and potentially save more in the long run.

1. Clean your gutters a couple times a year to remove any debris and avoid water spillage. 
2. Consider installing a LeafGuard® gutter system to help prevent leaves and debris from falling into your gutters and clogging it. 
   
   Book your free gutter consultation today with Local Home Pro!