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As the weather grows warmer and signs of ice and snow pass, it's important to pay attention to any changes that have occurred to the exterior of your home during the winter months.
Winter elements play a harsh role in many areas of the country, contributing to extensive damage of gutter systems.
Look for obvious signs of damage from ground level, but call in a gutter professional to take a closer look if you have a second or third-floor gutter. Failing to schedule regular gutter inspections and or ignoring visible damage can lead to costly repairs (not to mention, structural issues).
Why is it important to check gutters for damage?
"Gutters are one of the most important long-lasting solutions against structural home damage caused by water," shares Chris Counahan, President at Leaf Filter. "With the typical life expectancy of gutters being around 20 years, neglecting gutter maintenance can impact every aspect of your home, such as water damage to the roof, foundation, and walls, as well as the potential for mold growth."
He adds, "If gutters are not cleaned regularly and water overflows from the gutters, water can fall along the foundation of your home, freeze, and result in cracks."
It was shocking to learn that 27% of homeowners wait until there's an issue. "Gutters should be checked and cleaned twice a year to prevent damage to your roof and foundation," he continued. "Spring is a good time to tackle this project to give your gutters a fresh start after the snow has melted, especially since it’s common for underlying problems to rear during the winter."
How Winter Damage Shortens Gutter Lifespan
Winter stress adds up fast. Even small issues can shave years off a gutter system.
Common winter-related problems include:
- Metal fatigue from constant freeze-thaw cycles
- Loose fasteners caused by snow load and ice weight
- Hairline cracks that expand once temperatures rise
- Seal failure at joints and corners
Many of these issues start small. A pin-sized crack or loose hanger may not look serious. Once spring rain arrives, water finds those weak spots fast. That water intrusion can reach fascia boards, siding, and the soil near the foundation.
Addressing minor damage early costs less than replacing long gutter runs later.
1. Gather Tools and Materials
To inspect and clean your rain gutters, pull together a tool bag with:
- work gloves
- hammer
- gutter hangers – just in case you need to do some rain gutter repair
- extension ladder
- bucket for debris
If you can't confidently and safely check your clogged rain gutters, don't hesitate to call a roofing expert so they can help provide maintenance. A DIY gutter inspection isn't for every household.
2. Do a Visual Inspection—Inside and Out
"Ice dams can create leaks that you don't even notice until the snow melts," notes Counahan. "Ice dams are a buildup of ice in your gutters that stops water from flowing, causing water pooling and freezing. Frozen gutters trap snow and ice on the surface of your roof deck, which can damage or loosen your shingles, cause roof damage, and cause potential water damage inside your home."
If you had an ice dam, you might see:
- Water stains on ceilings and walls or peeling paint
- Water leaks in the attic (or damaged insulation from mold and mildew)
- Damaged, dislodged, or cracked shingles
- Icicle formation
Clogged gutters that are unable to accommodate heavy rain can cause damage not only to the roof and shingles but also to the foundation of your home. A waterfall from a gutter that pummels the ground next to a home's foundation can erode and oversaturate the soil, causing excess moisture to gather around the home's foundation.
Not only could these moisture issues result in basement flooding, but due to a reoccurring freeze-thaw cycle, it could actually cause foundation cracks and lead to other foundation issues.
Regular cleaning can help mitigate debris accumulation and spare you expensive gutter and roof repairs over time.
3. Remove Dry Leaves and Branches
Up on the ladder, reach into the gutters around your home and extract any leaf accumulation or branches and sticks that have built up. Put that debris in the bucket to simplify cleanup.
While you're inspecting up close, check for gaps between the gutters and the fascia boards. Gaps in the gutter apron can occur when the hangers or spikes that hold the gutter loosen over time.
If you see gaps, you might be able to fix it by tapping the spikes back in. If they won't hold, use an additional hanger or replace the spikes with gutter screws to re-secure the gutter to the roofline.
4. Use a Hose to Flush Debris
A garden hose simulates heavy rainfall and helps rinse out any remaining debris, like pine needles, from the gutters. Monitor the flow of water during this DIY gutter cleaning.
This is also a great time to check for water leakage between the gutter sections of your drainage system.
5. Check the Gutter Slope
"The added weight of winter snow on your gutters can cause them to break away from your roof, which can damage or loosen your shingles, weaken your roof, and cause interior leaks inside your home," shares Counahan. "When spring comes around, signs to look for that your gutters need replacing include if they’re warped or pulling away from the home, aren’t draining properly, or debris is getting stuck in them."
If you can see inside your gutter channels, one sign of a broken or sagging gutter can be stagnant water in the gutter. If the rainwater no longer flows easily to the downspout, the pitch of the gutter may have shifted due to the weight of snow and ice.
Don't Forget to Check the Downspouts
Just like your clogged gutters, a home's downspouts can fill with ice buildup during the winter weather, causing further problems in the spring as seasons change.
"By keeping them clear, you are keeping them from cracking or sagging under the ice pressure," notes Counahan. "To ensure ice dams didn’t cause any unwanted damage during the winter months, homeowners should inspect their gutters for any visible leaks or clogs."
When to Repair vs. Replace Gutters
Not all damage means gutter replacement. Some problems respond well to small fixes.
Repair may be enough when you see:
- One loose section
- A short seam leak
- A single downspout issue
- Minor sagging in one area
Replacement may make more sense when you see:
- Cracks in several sections
- Rust holes or corrosion
- Gutters pulling away along long stretches
- Repeated clogs due to poor design or slope
Older gutters often fail in clusters. Fixing one spot can expose weakness nearby.
If your gutters have been pulled away from the house due to heavy ice, it's time for professional repairs.
FAQ
How often should gutters be inspected?
Plan to inspect your gutters twice a year. At least one of those two times, get an up close look for damage. It's best to catch issues in the spring or fall immediately after or before heavy rain or snow.
Can damaged gutters really affect the foundation?
Yes, in a big way. Water that spills near the base of the home can soften soil, lead to settling, and increase the risk of cracks in freezing temperatures. Foundation moisture also leads to indoor mold growth, which compromises your entire home.
Are gutter guards enough to prevent damage?
We don't think so. Guards help reduce debris buildup, but they can't stop ice weight, fastener failure, or slope changes.
Is it safe to inspect gutters from the ground only?
Ground checks catch obvious issues, but some problems sit inside the channel or at seams and corners. It's always safest to hire a professional to take a look, but if you live in a single-story home with accessible gutters and a trustworthy ladder, go ahead and take a look for yourself. Look for issues including leaf buildup, sagging, fascia rotting, and loose connections.
