Why Sagging Gutters are a Bigger Problem than You Might Think

If you’ve noticed that your gutters are looking a little less than pristine, it’s important to address it right away. All too often, homeowners ignore their sagging gutters - especially if they haven’t noticed any adverse effects. Unfortunately, if your gutters are sagging, it can cause several major problems that are aggravating and expensive. 

Why Do Gutters Sag, Anyway?

Clogs are the number one cause of sagging gutters, and those clogs are almost always caused by leaves, animal nests, or other debris. As the water tries to flow through the clog, it starts to back up. Rather than flowing through the system as intended, the additional weight causes it to sag downward. Furthermore, because the gutter is clogged and water isn’t flowing, there’s a good chance that your gutters are also overflowing at the point where the sag is present. As such, it’s important to address sagging gutters right away.

The Major Problems with Sagging Gutters

When water can’t flow through your gutters and instead backs up in the system and spills over the side, you can experience a wide range of problems.

• Landscaping damage. If you’ve worked hard on your home’s landscaping, a sagging gutter is the last thing you want to see. The water constantly pouring over the side of the gutter will quickly destroy flowerbeds and shrubs, and if left long enough, it can even start to erode driveways and walkways. 
• Foundation damage. Gutters are designed to move water from your roof away from your home - and away from your home’s foundation. If the ground surrounding your home becomes too soft due to the water, it can start to shift, and that can cause your entire foundation to crack and buckle. These repairs are devastatingly expensive, and they can even cause homes to be condemned if the damage is bad enough. 
• Roof damage. Finally, when your gutter sags, it puts pressure on the gutter hangers - the brackets that attach the gutter to your home. Over time, those hangers and brackets can start to come loose, and they can even pull your walls or your roof along with them due to the weight of the water in the gutter system. This can lead to serious roof damage - or, depending on how your gutters are attached, it can lead to structural damage inside your home’s walls. 

Preventing Sagging Gutters 

If you are experiencing sagging gutters, it’s important to reach out to a professional for repair or replacement right away to prevent these potentially expensive issues. If your gutters are still in good shape but you are concerned about the potential for sagging in the future, it may be a good idea to invest in gutter covers designed to prevent leaves, animals, and debris from creating clogs in the first place. They come in a wide range of styles, colors, and types, so no matter what your home looks like or what kind of debris you are dealing with, there’s a cover that’s just right for you. 

Sagging gutters may not seem like a big deal at first, but if left unchecked, they can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home - or even worse. If you notice any kind of sagging, contact a professional right away, and consider installing gutter covers to prevent these issues from occurring, too.