Seven Warning Signs Your Gutters Are Clogged

Most gutter damage starts quietly. A clog builds for months before anything looks wrong. These seven signs show up first, and most can be checked from the yard.

1. Water spills over the edge in rain. Walk outside during a steady shower. Sheets of water over the front lip mean the trough or the downspout is blocked.
2. Plants growing in the gutter. Seedlings and grass need soil, which means rotted leaves have sat there a long time.
3. Sagging runs. Wet debris is heavy. A full ten-foot run can weigh over a hundred pounds and pull hangers loose.
4. Stains and peeling paint on fascia. Overflow soaks the board behind the gutter. Dark streaks are early rot.
5. Washed-out mulch or soil under the eaves. A line of bare ground right below the roof edge marks where overflow lands.
6. Damp basement or crawl space after storms. Water that should leave through downspouts ends up against the foundation.
7. Birds, wasps or mosquitoes around the gutter. Standing water and nesting material attract all three.

What to do next

Clear the downspout first, from the bottom, with a hose. Then scoop the trough from a stable ladder, working toward the outlet. If runs sag or fascia feels soft, repair those before the next wet season.