Are your gutters properly installed?

6/12/2015 (Permalink)

Plywood and framing damaged from wet rot.

Gutters are an important and often overlooked part of our houses. But, we take them for granted at our own peril. Gutters direct rainwater run-off to help avoid basement flooding and to maintain the integrity of the home’s foundation amongst other things. 

Gutter maintenance is often emphasized, especially during the fall months, when leaves clog gutters and cause improper redirection of water. However, not much is said about the installation of gutters in the first place. A significant number of gutter systems are installed improperly, either by well-meaning DIY homeowners or poorly trained or inexperienced handymen and contractors. Ultimately, any money saved could end up costing much more than the homeowner bargained for. Some of the most common issues with gutter installations include: 

1. Gutters that do not divert water far enough away from the home’s foundation causing either a) flooding or b) foundation problems. This can either be caused by improper initial installation, degradation of the gutter system or missing components


2. Poorly installed drip edge that does not divert water into the gutter but rather allows water to rot fascia and roof sheathing. Roofing and gutter installation are two different specialties. Don’t rely on a roofing contractor to properly handle your gutters – make sure a specialist inspects the work


3. Improper installation or maintenance and/or improper sizing can cause leaking seams, stagnating water and serious consequences


4. Missing or damaged flashing, a metal barrier meant to prevent water from rotting wooden components of the roof, can lead to significant exterior and interior damage.

In the case of the house featured in this blog post, water made its way into the house, running between the exterior and interior walls. The exterior sheathing, framing and drywall had completely deteriorated requiring complete replacement at significant cost. All of this damage could have been prevented if the flashing behind the gutter was properly installed.

It may seem like an inconvenience, but understanding your gutters, maintaining them properly and making sure they are properly installed can, for a relatively small cost, avoid major repairs down the road.