Rain gutters are designed to collect water from the roof of a building and direct it away from the foundations. The tilt on the roof allows the water to pool towards the gutters, which is a tunnel-like system that will ensure the water flows down a pipe and into a drainage system. But what happens if the gutters are not working as they should? What if the rain is dripping behind the drainage gutter system? The experts at Global Gutter Systems tell us that there are a few reasons why this can be happening.
Check Your Gutters
Some people do not realize there is a problem with their gutter system immediately, particularly if the gutters are not something they tend to give much consideration to. Manyindividuals never even notice their gutters until something goes wrong. It is worth checking the gutters regularly when it is raining to ensure they are doing their job properly.
If you spot water dripping behind the gutters and down the soffit and fascia, you can be pretty sure there is a problem. As soon as it stops raining, get a ladder and check the gutter system. Oftentimes a gutter will be clogged with leaves and debris, and this causes the water to back up and overflow. This leads to dripping down the back of the gutter system.
If there doesn’t appear to be a blockage, it could be that the gutter system has come loose. If you live in an older home, it could be that the gutter has come away from the side of the house due to natural wear and tear.
Another cause of dripping water is incorrect rain gutter installation. A rain gutter should be placed between two and three inches from the edge of the roofline. If they are too high or too low, water can spill out over the back.
How to Fix the Problem
There are several ways to fix the problem of water running behind the gutters. Obviously, if the cause is a clogged gutter, you would need to clear them out. You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. It might be that plants have started to grow in the gutter, which can often happen when birds or the wind carry seeds to the gutter where the conditions are perfect for growth. Most people do not notice this until the plants have started to become visible over the gutter and are causing water to spill over. It is important to get rid of any plant life from the gutter to prevent the problem reoccurring.
Installing eves protection boards could also help to prevent the water from running down the fascia, particularly if the original installation of the gutter system was inadequate. These boards fit underneath the roof tiles and ensure that water flows directly from the roof into the gutter. They are particularly useful for homes where the roof tiles do not extend far enough over the gutter.
If the gutter has come loose in some parts, replace the screws and fix it tightly to the side of the house. You might need to replace an entire piece of guttering if there is any damage, but you might be lucky and only need to replace the brackets.
It is worth checking whether the roof membrane is in the correct position. Sometimes the membrane might be stuck behind the gutter, and it isthis that is causing the dripping. If this is the case, try to free it and position it correctly above the gutter.