Troubleshooting Your Roof Drainage Troubles

Your home is a significant investment.  As such, you want to protect and enhance that investment. One means of doing so is with the installation of gutters and downspouts to direct rainfall away from your home. Even in a dry state like Arizona, we can experience heavy rainfall, leaving homes that lack adequate drainage in danger of serious damage.

Gutters and downspouts are important to protect your home from water damage around the perimeter.  They also need basic maintenance. The more you know about common gutter and downspout concerns, the more effectively you can spot them and schedule the appropriate fixes. The following are some common issues.

Clogged Gutters or Downspouts

Gutters only work when they offer a clear, unimpeded path for water flow. Unfortunately, waste products can accumulate in gutters. Leaves, twigs, dirt, and other materials can accumulate until they reduce the effective carrying capacity of a gutter. Birds may even build nests in your gutters.

The same debris that can clog a gutter can also clog a downspout. A clogged downspout will cause trouble by preventing water from draining from the gutter. Backed-up water will overflow the gutter, defeating the purpose of having gutters.

The solution is simple. Have gutters and downspouts inspected and cleaned at least once a year to ensure they are open and functioning as intended.

Sagging or Damaged Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters that have to contend with heavy loads of water due to clogs can start to sag under the weight. The weight of the water may actually pull the gutter away from the roof’s edge, potentially damaging the fascia, while at the same time bending the gutter so that accumulated water spills over the sides.

Sagging gutters should be evaluated and repaired as soon as possible. In addition to the potential for problems due to clogging, dry rot at wood fascia where the gutter attaches can also be a problem. This can be identified when the gutter is being checked to ascertain why it is sagging.

Gutters and downspouts can develop gaps at joints. Joints may separate due to age-related wear and tear or natural deterioration of the original sealant. Along with being aesthetically displeasing, open joints may result in further damage to gutters and downspouts. Gutter and downspout joints may be resealed with appropriate caulk and/or rivets.

Improper Gutter or Downspout Placement

A gutter or downspout placed incorrectly for adequate drainage may do more harm than good to your roof or yard. For example, if your gutters sit too high in relation to the edge of the roof, they may hold water along the edge of the roof system. This moisture can promote underlayment deterioration, wood rot, and pest infestation. A gutter pitched at too shallow a drainage slope will also have problems, since debris will tend to collect in the gutter since water moves too slowly.

Carelessly located downspouts can contribute to structural problems. If you have a downspout positioned too close to the side of the house (or angled inward toward the house), or if your downspout is too short, it will dump water next to your foundation every time it rains. Excessive water exposure along the foundation can result in erosion and excessive wear at the concrete, with accompanying settling issues.

SUNVEK can handle your gutter and downspout needs along with any other roofing project you might require. Contact us today to set up an appointment. Please let us know about any of your gutter or downspout questions, concerns, or projects. We look forward to hearing from, speaking with, and assisting you soon. Let us know how we can help.