Blocked gutters can cause serious problems if left unnoticed, from water damage to mould inside your home. Knowing what to look out for can help you catch issues as early as physically possible and avoid costly repairs. We'll cover the most common signs that your gutters may be blocked and why it’s important to act quickly.
Why It’s Important to Spot Blocked Gutters Early
Spotting blocked gutters at the earliest sign is very important because it gives you the chance to fix the problem before it leads to serious damage. When gutters become clogged with leaves, moss, or dirt, rainwater cannot flow through the system as it should. Instead, the water overflows and runs down the side of your home, which can cause damp patches on walls, stained brickwork, or even water to get inside your home.
Too much of this can lead to mould, rotting wood, and damage to plaster or paint. In worse cases, the water can collect around your home’s foundations, which may lead to cracks or structural problems that are expensive to repair.
Blocked gutters can also become heavy with trapped water and debris. When this happens, it can result in a number of different circumstances, and they can even break completely. If pests or birds are nesting in the gutters, the problem can get worse quickly. By spotting these signs early — such as water spilling over the edges, strange smells, or sagging sections — you can clear the blockage and prevent long-term issues.
Sagging or Drooping Gutters
A clear sign that something is up with your gutters and needs to be addressed rapidly is any visible sagging or drooping. This can happen when your gutters have become too heavy due to lots of water, leaves, moss, or other debris sitting on them.
The extra weight puts pressure on the brackets and fixings that hold the guttering in place, causing it to bend, pull away from the wall, or even break completely.
When gutters sag, water can’t flow through them properly, which leads to pooling and overflow. This not only damages the guttering itself but can also affect your roof, walls, and foundations.
If you notice any sections of your gutter hanging lower than the rest or starting to tilt, it’s important to act quickly. Clearing the blockage and checking the supports can help prevent further damage and keep your guttering system working as it should.
Plants or Weeds Growing in the Gutters
If you see a sudden growth of plants or weeds coming from your gutters, it's a strong sign that they haven't been cleaned for quite some time. Gutters are made to expertly carry rainwater away from your roof; they aren't made with the intention or strength to hold soil or support plant growth.
Yet, when leaves, moss, and dirt collect and break down inside your guttering, this makes a layer of compost-like materials. Combined with lots of moisture from the rain, this can offer an ideal condition for seeds to settle and grow. Birds or wind can also carry seeds into the gutter, making the problem worse over time.
Plants and weeds don’t just block the flow of water — they also add weight, which puts stress on the brackets and joints holding your gutter in place. This allows for sagging and cracking or even causes sections of the gutter to break away. In some cases, roots from larger weeds can damage the guttering or push it out of alignment, making drainage problems even worse.
If you discover any noticeable greenery growing from your gutters, it’s important to act as fast as you can. Removing the plants and clearing the build-up will help make sure the water is flowing properly and prevent damage to your home. Plenty of cleaning can stop this from happening again and keep your gutters working as they should.
Unusual Sounds During Rain
Unusual sounds during rain, such as dripping, splashing, or water hitting the ground heavily, can be a sign that your gutters are blocked.
When gutters are working properly, rainwater flows through them quietly and drains away down the pipes. But if there’s a blockage, the water can overflow, spill over the sides, or back up onto the roof.
This often creates noises that you wouldn’t normally hear during rainfall. You might notice loud splashes near windows, trickling sounds along walls, or even dripping inside if water is getting into your home.
These noises are often easy to miss at first, but they can point to bigger problems. Paying attention to these signs can help you spot blocked gutters early and take action before any damage is done.
When to Call a Gutter Cleaning Service
Knowing when to call a gutter cleaning service can help you protect your home and avoid the risks that come with doing it yourself. If your gutters are challenging to reach or your property has more than one storey, it’s much safer to hire a local professional.
This task would require you to work at height by climbing ladders, and this can be very dangerous, especially if the weather is bad or you don’t have the right equipment. Gutter cleaning services have the tools, training, and safety gear needed to get the job done properly and safely.
We recommend calling a local professional if you think that your gutters are blocked. For example, water spilling over the sides, sagging, broken sections, or plants flourishing from inside your guttering. It's always wise to deal with these issues as quickly as you can, as they could already be causing damage to your property.
Even if everything looks fine to you, booking a regular gutter clean once or twice a year can help avoid any problems in the near or distant future.
Professionals can also check for issues you might miss, like small cracks, loose brackets, or early signs of wear. Not only that, but having your gutters cleaned by someone who knows what they're doing can give you some peace of mind and help keep your home safe, dry, and well-maintained.
At Canterbury Exterior Cleaning, we specialise in maintaining the appearance of your property. To keep your property in the best possible condition, we provide a wide variety of exterior cleaning services. Call today for external cleaning services in Canterbury and the surrounding areas.
