Gutters look like an add-on, but they are part of how the roof sheds water. When they work, water leaves the roof edge and goes down and away from the house. When they clog, that water has nowhere to go.
How a clogged gutter becomes a roof leak
A gutter packed with leaves and debris fills up in a rain. Water then backs up over the front, over the back, or up under the lowest row of shingles. Shingles are made to shed water downhill, not to hold it standing, so water that sits at the edge can work its way up under them and down into the roof deck and the fascia.
In winter, a clogged gutter makes ice dams worse, because water collects and freezes at the eave. A full gutter also adds weight, and the extra load can pull the gutter away from the house and let more water in behind it. Learn how ice dams and roof leaks are connected in winter.
What the damage looks like
- stains on the ceiling or wall near the outside edge of the house
- soft, peeling, or rotted fascia boards
- water marks or streaks on the siding below the gutters
- shingles at the eave that are dark, curled, or lifting
- gutters that sag or pull away from the house
- plants growing in the gutters
- pooling water near the foundation, which points to a downspout problem
What to do about it
- Clean the gutters. Remove leaves and debris, then flush them with a hose and check that water flows to the downspouts and out. Do it from a stable ladder with someone holding it, or hire a professional.
- Check the downspouts. Make sure they are not clogged and that they carry water away from the foundation.
- Check the slope. Gutters should tilt slightly toward the downspouts. Standing water in a gutter points to a sag.
- Check the fastenings. If the gutters pull away from the house, they need to be reattached or replaced.
- Trim overhanging branches. They drop most of the debris.
Most homes need cleaning at least twice a year, more often under trees. Gutter guards can cut down on debris, but they are not maintenance free, and some designs clog or let water overshoot. Regular cleaning is one of the simplest forms of roof leak prevention.
What a roofer checks
If you have a stain along the outside wall, a roofer will check the eave, the drip edge, the fascia, and the shingles along the edge, as well as the gutter. Rotted fascia or wet roof deck at the edge may need to be repaired along with the gutter. Our roof leak repair team inspects the full roof edge.
Gutters and the rest of the roof
Water from a valley or a roof feature may overshoot the gutter and run down the siding, which makes it look like a gutter problem. A roofer can tell whether the water is coming from the roof or from the gutter.
Get the edge checked
If you have a stain along an outside wall or see damage at the roof edge, call Roof Leak Repair Carol Stream IL at (630) 866-1445. Tell us what the gutters look like and where the stain is.
Carol Stream Leak & Restoration is a free referral service. We connect Carol Stream homeowners with independent local roofing contractors — no fees to you, ever. Call (630) 866-1445 for fast help with a roof leak.