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K-Guard Kansas City Blog

These Are The 4 Most Common Gutter Issues – And Here’s How You Can Avoid Them

Broken House Gutter

Gutter systems exist to collect and carry water away from the roof and drain it from a home’s foundation. Gutter systems usually work well to protect our homes without any issues. However, they can malfunction, especially if it’s an open-top gutter system or if the gutters have screens or filters.

Continue reading to learn about the 4 most common gutters issues as well as some solutions so you can ensure your gutters are functioning properly.

 

1. Clogged Gutters

We’ve seen a lot of gutter issues here at K-Guard. We’re constantly examining other gutter systems during our free estimates and dismantling other gutter systems during our gutter installation process. Perhaps the most common gutter issue we see is clogged gutters. Open-top gutters or half-round gutter systems have a top that’s completely exposed to the elements, allowing debris like leaves, twigs, pine needles, and even critters to enter the gutter system. Clogged gutters can cause damage if not taken care of, possibly resulting in sagging, foundation damage, damage to the home’s siding and soffit and fascia boards, etc.

Luckily, clogged gutters are easy to identify and remedy if caught early. Clogged gutters have a blockage somewhere in the gutter system that’s impeding water flow, forcing the water to flow over rather than down the downspout. 

To avoid clogged gutters, make sure you’re cleaning your half-round gutters often. Even gutter screens and filters can easily clog from seeds, pine needles, and shingle sediment.

 

2. Overflowing Gutters

Gutters overflow as a result of a clog. Ideally, water from a roof would enter the gutters, flow through the gutter system, and exit through the downspouts. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. When a gutter system is clogged, the water has no choice but to flow over the gutters and collect around the home’s foundation. Gutters that overflow are like a domino effect; more issues will inevitably occur as a result of the water being forced over the side of the gutter system.

Structural damage like foundation damage can occur, resulting in a hefty repair bill. In addition to foundation damage, overflowing gutters could cause the following: damage to the home’s siding, rotted soffit and fascia boards, flooded basement, leaks and stains on the ceiling, roof damage, etc. Overflowing gutters can also pose a risk to loved ones and those who use your walkway because water will pour over the gutter and cause slippery walkways, especially as winter approaches and the water freezes.

 

3. Sagging Gutters

As previously mentioned, clogged and overflowing gutters are a domino effect, leading to other issues. Water is heavy. Did you know that one gallon of water weighs over 8 lbs? Water that’s left to collect inside a gutter and can’t flow through the system can easily cause the entire system to sag.

Sagging gutters leads to stress on the section of the gutter that isn’t draining water, resulting in it dropping lower and lower each time water enters it. Unlike seamless gutters, sectional gutter systems can easily sag since the system was installed in sections and seams are present. Sagging gutters will cause the system to ultimately tear away from the home, creating a messy and costly repair for homeowners.

 

4. Additional Damage to the Gutters

Open-top gutters and gutters that have screens and filters installed can easily clog, overflow, and sag, but the gutter and downspouts can also be damaged. Most half-round gutter systems are installed in sections containing components like gutter pieces, hangers, nuts, and bolts that become loose or damaged due to clogs, overflowing, and sagging gutters. These components of a sectional gutter system often loosen over time, damaging the entire gutter system.

Traditional gutter systems can also become damaged due to severe weather and natural wear and tear. Some gutter systems will dent from hail or heavy rainfall and ice storms, while others will rust or get chips in the paint from severe weather. Damaged gutters are common, especially with sectional and half-round gutter systems.

 

How Can I Avoid These Common Gutter Issues?

Gutter damage doesn’t sound fun, right? You’re probably wondering how to avoid these common gutter issues and protect your home from extreme damage. First, you can limit the amount of debris that collects inside the gutter by cleaning it often. Clean it at least twice a year, more if you have trees that surround the roofline. If your gutters trap debris often, consider cleaning them seasonally, especially after fall when leaves and pine needles shed from their trees.

Next, you’ll want to repair any existing gutter damage. Contact the gutter installation company that installed your gutter system and ask if they can repair the damage. You don’t want to let sagging gutters or loose joints get worse.

The best solution to avoid the common gutter issues listed above is to install the K-Guard System. The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System is seamless, so seams and excess hangers and material are nonexistent, resulting in an easier way for water to flow from the gutters and into the downspout. Our gutter product has a curved hood that blocks debris from entering the gutters, only allowing water to enter the gutter system.

Our gutter system allows only water to enter the system through a rear drainage channel. This means no clogs, eliminating the need to clean your gutter system for good! Our gutter system is so durable and practical that it comes with three-lifetime warranties, including a lifetime no-clog, paint, and no pull-away warranty, so it’ll never become damaged. K-Guard is guaranteed transferable for the life of the home!

Contact our team today or call (913) 380-1616 to schedule your free estimate for installing the K-Guard System. We offer our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations:

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