Way Up on the Roof

While a leaking gutter might not seem like much of a problem, you shouldn't ignore it. Even a small leak can cause damage to your home over time. This damage could ultimately be expensive to fix compared to the relatively low cost of repairing or replacing a problem gutter part.

What kinds of damage can a leaky gutter cause? 

1. Rot, Mold, and Dampness Problems

When a gutter leaks, it can't divert water away from your property. Leaks might actually direct water onto your roof, your fascia parts, and down your walls.

This water doesn't just dry or disappear. It can seep into structural materials and damage them.

For example, if water gets into a wood fascia board, then the wood might start to rot. Its paint might peel away. If water spreads into your roof, then you might get some mold growing inside your home. Wooden parts of your roof might start to get damp.

Even brick and concrete surfaces can be affected by a leak. If they are constantly exposed to excess water, then they are likely to develop dampness problems.

2. Pooling Problems

Sometimes, gutter leaks don't touch your property; they simply drip down onto the ground. While this might be a relief in some ways, it can give you other problems if the water starts to pool on the ground.

While pools of water might ultimately disappear, you need to think about where the water goes. If water seeps down into the ground, it could affect your home's foundations. It might cause dampness and even flooding in basement areas.

Plus, pooling can affect your yard. If water collects in one area on a regular basis, then it can cause soil erosion. The water basically washes soil away from the area. This might affect your landscaping.

3. Discoloration Problems

The water that leaks from a gutter isn't necessarily clean. It might contain dirt from the gutter itself. In some cases, it might contain rust if the leak was caused by metal corrosion.

If dirty water runs down the side of a building, then it will eventually cause some staining. Your walls could show some discoloration.

You won't always find it easy to remove these stains, especially if they are rust-based. You might need to repaint or recoat the wall. Even if you manage to clean the affected wall, it might then be a different color than other walls on your property. You might have to clean all of them to make them match again.

The discoloration will then come back in the future. You'll have to clean it off or paint over it repeatedly.

So, if you have a leaking gutter, it makes sense to have it fixed. Call local roofing contractors and ask for their help.