Gutters are an important part of a home's structure, helping to carry away rainwater so it doesn't cause water damage and erosion. But if your gutters aren't working as they should, they can cause water to overflow and create problems for your home’s structural integrity and foundation. If you want to avoid the need for costly repairs and pay for a new gutter installation, you should understand why your gutter is overflowing and what you can do about it.  Check out our quick guide on common reasons why gutters overflow so you can determine what needs to be done next. 

Gutter Clogs or Debris 

This is by far the most common cause of leaking gutters and downspouts. Clogs can be caused by leaves, twigs, pine needles, acorns, and even small animals like squirrels and birds. The debris acts like a dam, preventing water from flowing out of the roof and into the gutter system. This can cause water to back up behind the obstruction and overflow onto your roof or front porch. It is important to check your gutters regularly for dead leaves and other debris before they build up too much to avoid this problem altogether.

Gutter Guards That Are Too Tight or Poorly Installed

Gutter guards are designed to keep debris from entering your gutters to prevent clogging. However, if they’re installed incorrectly or too tightly on top of your downspout, they can prevent water from exiting the gutter when it rains. This causes water to back up in the gutter and find another way out — usually through leaks in the roof flashing around your chimney or downspout assembly.

Poorly Designed Gutters 

If your gutters aren't designed properly, then they may not be able to handle the amount of rainwater they're supposed to. They may not have been installed on all sides of your home, only one story, or they may have gaps or be too far away. If you're unsure if your gutters are well-designed, consider hiring a professional roofing contractor who can check them out for you and suggest better options. 

Broken Downspouts

Broken downspouts are one of the most common reasons for overflowing gutters. These are designed to take water from your roof and direct it into the gutter system where it then flows through the downspout into a storm drain or rain barrel. If your downspout is broken, water may flow into your yard or pool up against your house foundation instead of flowing out of your gutter system. This will cause flooding inside your home as well as outside. A simple fix for this problem is to replace any damaged downspouts with new ones that are in good working order.

Do You Have an Overflowing Gutter? Let Us Fix It Before Your Problems Overflow! 

Does your roof have gutters? Do you want to know how to fix any issues with them, or better yet how to prevent them from happening in the first place? Our expert roofers can come to your home and evaluate your gutters, clean out clogs, and better design them to handle even heavy rains. For more information, contact RRG Roofing at 678-326-4951. We service areas in Dahlonega, Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Alpharetta, GA.