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Is It Bad for My Gutters to Have Standing Water?

When your home gutters are working correctly, it runs like a well-oiled machine. Water flows from the roof into the gutter drainage system, down the downspout, and out the end- safely away from your home’s foundation. But what happens when your gutters are underperforming and not draining correctly? It’s time to seek some help, because yes, it’s bad to have standing water in your gutters.

What causes standing water in gutters?

A number of possible issues could be to blame for a backup or water pooling in the gutter system. These are the signs to look out for:

Sagging gutters

Take a step back from your home so you can see the full length of the gutter run. Is there a bend somewhere? Water needs to go down, not up, so if there’s any gutter sagging, the water might not be able to flow the way it needs to go- leaving you with an unwanted birdbath. This could be due to an accumulation of debris that weighs down the rain gutter, or perhaps a missing/broken bracket that no longer supports the metal.

Clogged gutters

There’s that debris again. Even if it doesn’t weigh down your gutter enough to cause visible sagging, debris can also ruin the flow of water inside gutter systems. Maybe leaves, pine needles, dirt, or helicopter seeds are blocking the gutter. That’s an easy way for water to get stuck where it doesn’t belong. Once you remove the clog from the gutter (thoroughly check the whole system for any other trouble spots), water should begin to move to the downspout. If it doesn’t, then something else must be wrong.

Bonus: Learn about how clogged gutters can lead to ceiling leaks

Improperly pitched gutters

Did you know that your gutters aren’t attached to be completely level with your home? That’s because they’re set at a slight tilt. The pitch should be just enough downward to allow water to flow, but not so much that it looks strange at a glance. If there are no sagging points and your system is clear of clogs, it’s possible the gutter contractor who worked on your installation  didn’t pitch them properly. In that case, it’s time to seek an expert’s advice to get it done right and get rid of water sitting in your gutters

What problems can water pooling in your gutters cause?

One concern if you have standing water or pooling is mosquitos. They live in puddles, tires, buckets, and anywhere else water isn’t moving- which includes a clogged or sagging gutter. Beyond being a nuisance, mosquitos can sometimes carry diseases- just another reason to keep them far away from your home.  Even if insects don’t take advantage of the pooling water, gutter systems still can suffer from clogs. If water isn’t able to exit via your downspouts as usual, it may flow over the top or seep behind the gutter, risking water damage to your basement, landscaping, or foundation.

Weather and standing water

It’s important to keep a close eye on your gutter functionality during major weather events. With the seasons as unpredictable as they are in the Cincinnati area, one day of hard rainfall could be followed with lots of snow. After a snowstorm, the snow should melt down and flow out of your downspout as it normally does. The same happens after heavy rains. It can take a little extra time for water to flow when there’s more of it than usual, but it should exit the gutter regardless. If that’s not happening, something isn’t right.

When to see a professional gutter contractor

If you’ve already made sure your gutters are clean, double checked for sagging, taken weather into consideration, and the pitch appears to be fine (or if you need assistance safely doing any of the above), and there’s still water sitting in your gutters, it’s time to talk to a pro. Gutter professionals have the experience and tools needed to assess your gutter setup and offer recommendations on what to do next. They should be able to tell you how to get rid of the standing water in your gutter. Sometimes, the solution is to upgrade your gutters to include gutter guards or a low-maintenance debris-shedding style like LeafGuard gutters.

Still need guidance on how to get rid of standing water in your gutters?

You don’t have to navigate your water drainage system issues alone. Get expert advice from our KY and OH gutter installers. Contact us today or request an estimate for a complimentary consultation at your home!

 

 

Author: Jeff Anderson