What's in your gutters?

leaves in gutter

I’m constantly surprised at the things we have found in people’s gutters. Many times it’s a build-up of debris that started at the downspout opening and then could not wash down and out of the downspout, compounding the problem by more and more leaves and debris building up to the point where only a small trickle of water is able to make it past the massive build-up.

You’d be surprised at the crazy things you might find in your gutters. Here’s a short list of a few things I’ve found while on the job.

tennis balls
water bottles
dog toys
kids toys
newspapers
birds’ nests
clothes
golf balls
whiffle balls
shoes
plastic shopping bags
dead birds
dead chimpunks

Often when it is just a gentle rain, the homeowner never notices or is aware that there is a problem. The gutter might hold water for several days as it slowly drains, BUT when that big storm rolls in and it rains hard – on and off for hours or days – then it’s much more obvious. That is typically when one of two things happen, depending on the time of day.

You may be awakened at 2 or 3 AM by the sump pump running on and on. Then you are playing detective trying to decide where the water is coming in – what is the source? I have heard many stories from home owners about climbing up a ladder in their pajamas with a flashlight during a thunder storm and trying to unclog a gutter system while holding a flash light and umbrella. Not a position you want to be in any weather conditions, but made much more dangerous by a thunder storms and slippery rain soaked ladders and side walks.

Gutter Covers of Indiana can help. We will come to your home, inspect your system and offer you long term solutions to help keep your home safe and dry and the rain water traveling out your downspouts and away from your home.