Your gutters work every time it rains. Whether you cleaned them last week or last year, they're the first line of defense between your roof and your foundation. But how do you know if they're actually doing what they're supposed to do?

Most people don't think about their gutters until something goes wrong. Water pouring over the sides. A gutter pulling away from the house. A puddle that never dries up next to the foundation.

Here's how to tell if your gutters are working and what to do if they're not.

The Obvious Signs of Trouble

Some problems are easy to spot. Walk around your house during the next hard rain and look for these:

  • Water overflowing the sides of the gutters. This is the most obvious sign of a clog. Water should flow through the gutters and down the spouts. If it's spilling over the edges, something is blocked.
  • Waterfalls between gutter sections. If you see water streaming out from the seams where two gutter sections join, the seal has failed. This usually means the gutters need to be resealed or replaced.
  • Gutters pulling away from the house. Look at the edge of the roof. The gutter should sit flush against the fascia board. If you see gaps, the fasteners have pulled loose. This gets worse over time.
  • Standing water in the gutters after a rain. If you see puddles in your gutters a day after a storm, they're not draining properly. The gutters might be sagging, or the downspouts are blocked.

The Less Obvious Signs of Trouble

Some gutter problems are harder to spot. Here's what to look for when you're not standing in the rain:

Check the Ground Around Your Foundation

After a rain, walk around your house and look at the ground next to the foundation. Are there areas where the soil is washed away or where water pools? That's a sign that your gutters aren't directing water far enough away from the house.

Look for Rotted Fascia Boards

The fascia board is the trim that runs along the edge of your roof, behind the gutter. If the fascia looks soft, discolored, or has peeling paint, it's absorbing water that should be going through the gutters. This is often caused by clogged gutters that hold water against the wood.

Check for Splash Marks on Siding

Look at the siding below your gutters. If you see dirt streaks or water marks running down the siding, water is overflowing the gutters regularly. Over time, this damages the siding and can let water into the wall cavity.

Watch for Pests and Plants

If you see plants growing out of your gutters, they're long overdue for a cleaning. Also, clogged gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. If you notice more bugs around your roofline, check the gutters.

How Gutters Should Perform

Good gutters do three things. They capture all the water from the roof. They channel it to the downspouts. And they discharge it at least four to six feet away from the foundation.

That last part matters more than most people think. Even with clean gutters, if the water dumps out right next to the foundation, it can cause basement leaks, foundation cracks, and soil erosion. Every downspout should have an extension that carries water away from the house. Downspout extensions are cheap and easy to install.

When Gutters Need More Than Cleaning

Sometimes gutters need more than just having the leaves removed. Here are signs that your gutters need repair or replacement:

  • Cracks or holes. Even small cracks let water escape where it shouldn't. These can be patched, but if there are multiple cracks, replacement might be better.
  • Rust or corrosion. On metal gutters, rust spots that have turned into holes mean the gutters are failing.
  • Sagging sections. Gutters should be level or sloping slightly toward the downspouts. If a section sags, water pools there instead of draining.
  • Loose fasteners. If the spikes or screws that hold the gutters in place are pulling out, the gutters won't stay where they belong.
  • Separation from the house. A gap between the gutter and the fascia board means the gutter is pulling away. This gets worse with every rain as the weight of the water pulls it further.

The Annual Gutter Check

Here's a quick checklist to run through twice a year:

  1. Clean all debris from gutters and downspouts
  2. Flush the gutters with a hose and check for proper drainage
  3. Check all seams for leaks
  4. Tighten any loose fasteners
  5. Check that downspout extensions are in place and working
  6. Look for signs of rot or water damage on fascia and siding
  7. Check the ground near the foundation for erosion or pooling

If you're not comfortable getting on a ladder, we can help. We provide gutter cleaning, repair, and installation as part of our full-service roofing and exterior work. Give us a call and we'll take a look.