October in South Jersey means cooler weather, Eagles football (Sorry Phillies!), pumpkin everything… and a whole lot of leaves ending up exactly where you don’t want them.
Your gutters.
It may not seem like a big deal at first. After all, they’re just leaves, right?
The problem is that once gutters start filling up, rainwater can’t move the way it’s supposed to. Instead of flowing through the gutter, into the downspout, and safely away from the house, water starts overflowing, backing up, and finding other places to go.
And water is very good at finding places to go.
Leaves Are Supposed to Fall Off the Trees
They’re not supposed to become part of your drainage system.
Your gutters are designed to collect rainwater from the roof and direct it away from the house. When leaves, sticks, roofing granules, and other debris block that path, the entire system stops doing its job properly.
That can lead to problems that go well beyond a little water spilling over the edge.
When water sits in or repeatedly spills over clogged gutters, the wood behind them can stay wet for long periods of time. And with all these old roofs I've seen lately, you may be lucky to have any kind of proper drip edge under those shingles.
Over time, that moisture can contribute to damaged fascia boards, deteriorated roof edges, peeling paint, and other moisture-related problems.
If the gutter itself is already loose or poorly secured, all that wet debris adds even more weight.
A gutter full of soggy leaves can get surprisingly heavy.
Water Near the Foundation Is Never a Good Thing
One of the most important jobs of your gutter system is keeping roof water away from the foundation.
If a downspout is clogged, disconnected, damaged, or dumping water right next to the house, that water can collect around the foundation instead.
That may contribute to damp basements, crawlspace moisture, soil erosion, foundation movement, or water entering through cracks and openings.
This is why I always tell homeowners that cleaning the gutter is only half the job.
You also need to make sure the downspout is actually sending the water somewhere useful.
Preferably somewhere that is not six inches from your foundation. 6 feet is much better!
By the time you notice visible damage, the problem may have been happening for quite a while.
That is one of the reasons gutters, downspouts, roof drainage, and visible signs of moisture are all things I pay attention to during a home inspection.
Check More Than Just the Leaves
A good fall gutter check should include more than just scooping out debris.
Take a look at:
-
Whether the gutters are securely fastened
-
Whether they appear properly pitched toward the downspouts
-
Whether any sections are sagging or pulling away
-
Whether downspouts are connected
-
Whether water is being discharged far enough away from the house
-
Whether there are stains, rot, or deterioration near the roof edge or fascia
-
Whether extensions are crushed, missing, or pointing back toward the foundation
And if your gutters are too high to safely access, this is not the time to prove how brave you are on a ladder. My dad loves climbing ladders and cleaning gutters for some reason...kudos to him! I get to play with a drone if it's a 2 story house...it may not get the leaves out but it takes great pics.
Bottom line...Call someone who has the proper equipment.
A Little Fall Maintenance Can Prevent Bigger Problems
Cleaning gutters is one of those home maintenance jobs that feels small until you see what happens when it gets ignored.
A few leaves today can turn into overflowing gutters, damaged trim, basement moisture, or drainage problems tomorrow.
So while you’re enjoying the fall colors this October, take a minute to look up at the roofline.
If your gutters are starting to look more like a compost pile than a drainage system, it may be time to give them some attention.
Because when it comes to your house, water should always have somewhere to go.
Just preferably not inside.
Albino Rhino Home Inspections LLC
South Jersey Home Inspections
It takes two floors to make a story.