The Signs of Clogged Gutters: What to Look For & How to Fix It
Clogged gutters are no homeowner’s best friend. Along with being a nuisance to deal with, the act of clearing out those clogs can be quite the dangerous chore since it requires you to climb up on a ladder to do it. All things considered, there’s a good chance that dealing with pesky gutter clogs is probably one your least favorite tasks on your to-do list. So, before you hike up on that ladder to give your gutters a good cleaning, you might want to know a bit more about how to tell if your gutters are clogged to begin with. Here are some signs of clogged gutters to look out for at your home:
1. Water Is Spilling Over the Edges of Your Gutter System
The first sign of clogged gutters is water that spills over the edges of your system, as this can commonly be caused by blockages that prevent your gutters from working efficiently. Clogs stop water from flowing through your system as it should, forcing it instead to go over the edges and to the ground below.
2. Something Is Sprouting in Your System
If you notice plants growing in your gutters, this is another clear sign that debris like dirt and seeds have gotten into the system and formed clogs that start sprouting. If you see this happen in your gutters, remove the clogs immediately to prevent damage caused by root systems that can start to grow. While plants may look great as part of your landscaping, they are best left on the ground and well out of your gutters.
3. Your Gutters Have Started to Sag
Sagging gutters are a sign that something isn’t right with your system, and that something likely has to do with one common culprit: clogs. If you see sagging gutters at any point along your system, check for clogs and clear them out before the weight becomes too much and your gutters are too severely damaged.
4. Stained Siding Below Your Gutters
Stain marks on your siding aren’t just bad for their effect on your home’s curb appeal, they can also be a sign that your gutters are clogged. This is because water that has been sitting in your gutter system along with debris is likely to get dirtied, and that water can leave unsightly stains on your siding when it finally makes its way out of your gutters.
5. Pests Have Made Your Gutters Their New Hangout Spot
One sign of clogged gutters that isn’t as well-known—but that’s still worth knowing about—is pests that start hanging out either in or around your gutters. This can include anything from birds to small rodents, squirrels, and even insects, as clogged gutters are an attractive nesting ground and source of drinking water for these small pests.
Discover a Permanent Solution With Gutter Covers of Indiana
Now that you know more about the signs of clogged gutters, are you ready to take gutter clearing off your list of chores for good? If so, it’s time to call in the gutter guard installation experts at Gutter Covers of Indiana. We offer long-term solutions to all your gutter problems by installing top-of-the-line gutter protection products, as well as additional services like gutter replacements, cleaning, and more. To learn more about how we can keep clogged gutters from happening at your home, contact us today.