Rain gutters have a tendency to collect leaves and debris when they’re not equipped with efficient gutter protection or cleaned on a regular basis. Falling leaves and debris thus accumulate and cause clogs. Here are a few clues that your gutters are clogged.

Observable signs of obstruction while it is raining

When it is raining, water won’t be drained efficiently if your gutter is clogged. Several signs can indicate that water is not flowing properly or at all inside the gutter or that it is not evacuated as it should through the downspouts.

Water spills over the front edge of the rain gutter

When it is raining and your gutter is clogged, there is a strong likelihood that water will spill over if it can’t be drained through the downspouts. In such a case, you’ll clearly see water spilling over the front edge of the gutter.

Water leaking from joints and elbows of the eavestrough

When water accumulates inside your rain gutters and it can’t be drained, it tends to find its own way through tiny spaces. Consequently, water may leak from joints, elbows or other areas that have not been sealed off properly. It is thus relatively easy to locate these leaks during rainfall events.

Water is not drained through the downspouts

Clogs will definitely have a negative effect on downspout efficiency. To that effect, it is easy to see whether water is drained adequately when it is raining.

Observable signs of obstruction on sunny or cloudy days

Even when it is not raining, there are always clear signs that eavestroughs are clogged or can’t drain rainwater adequately. Several clues can lead you to believe that your gutters are clogged, thereby accelerating physical deterioration.

Damaged plant beds and soil erosion beneath gutters

Plant beds located right underneath overflowing, clogged gutters often end up damaged. Additionally, soil in plant beds or beneath the grass can be affected by erosion. This is often a sign that the rain gutter right above is clogged.

Chipping paint on the fascia board

Clogged gutters often push water back up to the roof. As a result, chipping paint on the fascia board is both a sign that the gutter is clogged and that there may eventually be water infiltration issues if the gutter is left unattended.

Wet, dirty or damaged siding below gutters

Eavestroughs overflowing due to clogs tend to damage the siding of the house as the exterior wall gets dirty and damaged by water that drips down.

Sagging rain gutters pulling loose from the fascia board

Sagging gutters are often the result of the weight of standing water and fascia boards that get damaged following water infiltration. You’ll easily notice this phenomenon as gutters are pulled from the fascia board, especially gutters installed with spikes.