Roof Gutter Leakage

Extend the downspout to the next gutter or down to the ground.

Roof gutter leakage.

Eventually the fascia soffits and even the roof sheathing will rot. Before you go and spend your hard earned money on new replacement gutters make sure that it is in fact the gu. Do you have water leaking behind your gutters. If the gutters look clear run a hose and fill the gutters with water.

If your gutters are pulling away or falling off your home it may appear you have a leak. When water flows off the edge of your roof some of it clings to the underside of the shingles and dribbles toward the fascia. If the gutters are clogged it s possible that the water is overflowing the gutters and this is contributing to the leak. If your gutters are fastened with spikes and some spikes are loose or rusted simply hammering the spike back in isn t.

Water can t run off the roof and into the gutter so it runs between the gutter and the roof s edge. Water should run out the downspout and away from the house without filling the gutter. Often the real issue is that the gutters aren t fastened tightly to the fascia. Gutter leaks usually start at rusty spots or seams that have opened up because of expansion and contraction.

If you have gutters but no gutter apron to stop the water it will wick behind the gutter. If your gutter is still basically sound the easiest way to stop the leak is by covering the damaged area with roof and gutter repair tape available at home centers and hardware stores. Your leak is a gutter problem if there is a clear issue with an element of the gutter system or definite water coming from the gutters end caps downspout or gutter seams etc. And it doesn t stop there.

If clips or brackets hold your gutters check for broken clips and loose or missing screws. Left long enough the water runoff will cause damage to the roof shingles as well as your home s facade. This old house general contractor tom silva has a fast fix for a dripping rain gutter. Draining upper roof gutters directly onto a lower roof can lead to the lower section becoming overly saturated which can cause leaks.

See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house. There should be no more than a inch drop in the direction of the downspout.