Sagging gutters

Photo: Thinkstock.com

Most of us don’t spend much time looking at our gutter systems. If you’ve been on one of my home inspections, you’ll know I stress that water is the biggest enemy of homes, so evaluating gutters and how they manage roof surface water is a primary exercise. 

Management of collected roof covering surface water is extremely important to prevent water-related damage. It is encouraged to prevent damage to concealed structural components located above and below grade, and exterior siding materials. 

The most common gutter and downspout materials are formed aluminum, and they should be installed so that water is not directed into the building during extreme rainfall. It’s always important that gutters be installed with a continuous slope to encourage good drainage. The slope should be sufficient to drain standing water. Standing water can encourage insects and small animals to congregate, and encourage the decay of accumulated organic materials. Most of all, poor slope has the potential to direct water towards the structure and cause damage.

Over time, some gutters sag due to backed-up water and debris, changes in temperatures, and high winds. Today’s contemporary homes have 5” gutter systems. These large gutter systems have the potential to hold 150 lbs of water every 10 feet when full. Most gutter systems are either held to the roof with long spikes, or on brackets or hangers. When a gutter system loosens, or otherwise becomes unattached, the potential for water damage escalates. 

As prevalent and important as gutter and downspout systems are, many people are surprised to learn that they are not required by most building codes. Surprisingly, even where they are required, building codes do not set requirements for design or minimum requirements for installation and performance. That is why I see so much inconsistency in the design and installation of gutter and downspout systems.

Sagging gutters often occur when the brackets holding them against the homes facia fails or pulls away. Without proper installation, gutter systems can sag in the middle of each section. Water, sludge, and debris tend to collect in sagging gutters, adding weight, and have the potential to damage your home from overflow.

Photo: Hugh Cairns

Sagging gutters may be caused by loose or lost gutter mounting hardware, improper or inadequate slope, or the weight of water or debris that cause the gutter to bend.

All components in a gutter and downspout system need to be installed properly and be well maintainedfor  the system to achieve peak performance.

Bottom line: Check those gutters!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.