Reasons Why Gutters Leak | All About Gutters Inc

The main function of the roof rainwater collection systems is to evacuate all the water from the roof to prevent it from falling directly onto the building facades. Thus preventing the appearance of humidity and problems in the structure of the building caused by water. That is why when rain gutters lose water it is always necessary to fix it as soon as possible.

For this, it is essential to have the work of a professional in gutter repair and maintenance who can repair the fault with long-term guarantees. There are many reasons why gutters can leak, but we will tell you the main three as well as some tips to try to prevent it. Since this way it will be easier to anticipate this problem and prevent it from occurring.

Channel breaks

One of the reasons that makes it more obvious that a duct loses water through a leak is because it has holes in its surface. It may be small cracks initially, but that is enough for the water to seep in and not make its way down the downspouts. Also causing, in the medium term, these minimum openings give way with the weight of the water and end up becoming real holes. Which will cause the duct to even break and detach.

This situation would be very dangerous and it is not normal for it to occur, since it is most common for us to realize it beforehand. In any case, it is advisable to always contact the gutter installers who installed them so that they can check their condition. Moreover, subsequently carry out the relevant repair.

In order to avoid the appearance of cracks or breaks in the channels, the best option is to make periodic reviews of the rainwater system. Therefore, we can act at the slightest sign of breakage. Either by corrosion of the materials, by a normal deterioration or by external aggressions.

Loose parts in the system

Other reasons why rainwater leaks often appear in gutters is due to the presence of a loose piece. This is especially common in installations where the ducts have been laid in sections. Since the joints can loosen and the water can seep through the joints of the ducts.

It is important to detect these leaks quickly since if they are not solved, it is possible that the pieces end up loosening completely. Causing the detachment of any of the parts of the gutter system. As always, prevention is the best way to avoid these accidents.

In the case of continuous gutters, as they are watertight ducts, it is very unusual for leaks to occur; in fact this is one reason to choose gutters without joints.

Blockages in the storm pipes

On the other hand , the  most common causes of gutter overflow are obstructions in the ducts . Although initially they do not have to cause leaks, the truth is that in the end they end up doing so. Since if you do not put a solution to the clog and the water remains stagnant, it ends up corroding the surface and leaks appear.

These jams are very common especially during the autumn months due to the accumulation of leaves. Although they can appear at any time of the year if periodic cleaning of the ducts is not carried out. The most advisable thing is to do these cleanings twice a year, for what the most comfortable thing is to hire a professional rain gutter maintenance service .

Keeping the ducts clean usually avoids practically all situations that involve the accumulation of water in the channels. In addition, we have to take into account that the accumulation of some elements, such as bird droppings, may not only cause a traffic jam. But also corrode the surface of the material with which the gutter is made, causing the appearance of cracks and holes.

How to prevent water from seeping into gutters

Although we have already given you some keys to avoid the appearance of leaks in your roof rainwater collection system. Below you can find a summary of the best ways to prevent this annoying and costly problem.

Hire a professional gutter maintenance service that is in charge of not only checking the system but also doing a couple of cleanings a year.

Check that all the elements of the water evacuation system are installed correctly and that it works normally. Also, check that the installation is correct for the area and the weather in which you live.

Place accessories that prevent jams and obstructions, such as leaf guards, screens, or anti-birds.

Whenever you detect that a canal is losing water, immediately contact a professional in the gutter sector for a solution as soon as possible.