1. Water pouring over the edge
In heavy rain a clear gutter carries the water away. If it sheets over the front like a waterfall, the gutter or the outlet is full.
2. Plants growing out of the gutter
Grass, weeds and even small saplings mean there is enough soil up there to root in. That gutter has not drained properly for a long time.
3. Sagging or pulling away
Wet debris is heavy. A gutter that dips in the middle or has come away from the fascia is usually carrying more weight than the brackets were made for.
4. Stains and green streaks on the wall
Dark streaks, green algae or white salt marks below the gutter line show where water has been running down the brickwork instead of down the pipe.
5. Drips from the joints
A steady drip from a joint after the rain has stopped means water is sitting in the gutter. It may be a failed seal, but standing water usually starts with a blockage.
6. Nothing coming out of the downpipe
If it is raining and the downpipe is silent and dry at the bottom, the blockage is at the outlet or in the pipe itself.
7. Damp patches indoors
Damp at the top of an outside wall, or in the corner of a bedroom ceiling, is often traced back to a gutter that has been overflowing behind the fascia.
What to do next
One sign is enough to justify a look. A clean is quick and far cheaper than repairing damp or replacing rotten roofline.
Need a hand?
We clean and repair gutters, fascias and soffits across Manchester and the North West. Ask for a free fixed quote or see our gutter cleaning services and the areas we cover.
