When you notice you have a roof leak close to your gutter, it’s crucial to determine the cause and have it repaired. Roof leaks can lead to water damage in your home or yard, which can be costly to fix. Prompt repairs prevent more severe damage from occurring.
Why is your roof leaking near the gutter? Any of the following can lead to a roof leak close to your gutters.
1. Clogs
Clogged gutters are a common cause of roof leaks, especially if you have trees close to your home. Branches, twigs, leaves, and other debris can fall into your gutters throughout the year and fill them up. Storms and windy conditions can also blow debris into your gutters, creating a blockage.
When your gutters become clogged, water can’t move through them to the downspout. This usually keeps water away from your roof and the exterior of your home. Clogged gutters then leak water, putting your home at risk of damage.
Cleaning out your gutters a couple of times each year helps prevent them from becoming clogged. You might also want to consider having gutter guards installed to keep debris out of your gutters.
2. Cracks and Holes
Cracks and holes in your roof or gutters allow water to get through to the interior, causing water damage. They can form over time due to:
- Deterioration
- Wear and tear
- Damage from animals
- Storms
- Other causes
These openings can prevent water from flowing through your gutters. This causes damaging leaks.
Even if the cracks are tiny, leaks will make them become larger or wider over time. This, in turn, can lead to more severe leaks and water damage in your home. Have your gutters and roof inspected for damage so damage can be sealed as needed.
3. Improperly Sealed or Separated Joints
Gutter joints need to be correctly sealed for water to move through your gutters rather than spilling over the side or at the seams. You might have a roof leak at your gutters if the joints were improperly sealed. Your gutter joints can also cause leaks if they become separated.
If you notice your gutter joints becoming separated or if they’ve been improperly sealed, have a professional roofer make repairs. They can reseal your gutters properly to prevent leaks. If the joints are separated, roofing professionals can ensure they are joined and sealed. If a replacement is necessary, they will go over your options so you can make an informed decision on next steps.
4. Improper Pitch
Your gutters can cause leaks if they’re not pitched at the proper angle. Low slopes allow debris to build up quickly in your gutters, resulting in clogs. On the other hand, having too much of a pitch means water can pour right over the sides of your gutters instead of through them.
If you deal with frequent gutter blockages or notice water pouring over the sides, your gutters might have an improper pitch. Local roofing contractors can correct this and repair leaks. Making sure your gutters have the right angle can also reduce the risk of having leaks occur again.
5. Loose Fasteners
The fasteners holding your gutters in place may become loose over time, especially if you have an older gutter system. These loose fasteners can shift your gutters and prevent water from being able to get through them.
Making sure your gutter fasteners are secure helps prevent these water damage from occurring. You can have roofing experts perform routine maintenance on your gutters, which involves checking fasteners and tightening or replacing them as needed. Having this done once or twice a year can lower your risk of having a roof leak.
6. Ice Dams
Ice dams can cause considerable damage to your gutters and roof, as well as your home interior. When the snow melts too fast on your roof and re-freezes at the eaves and gutters, these dams form. Ice dams in these areas often cause water to back up under the roof eaves.
Having your attic and roof well insulated helps reduce the risk of ice dams. Insulation helps prevent snow from melting too quickly on your roof. Roofing contractors can determine if your attic and roof require more insulation and add it if needed. If you have a roof leak near your gutters, please contact Midwest Roofing today. We offer dependable and timely roof repair services for homeowners from Columbia to Springfield, MO. Our team can find the cause of your roof leak and get it fixed before it causes any additional damage to your home.
