6 Signs You Have Clogged Gutters

Rainwater overflowing from a clogged white gutter

Every time it rained, our backyard used to turn into a soggy mess. Why? The downspout right next to our basement door kept spilling water over its sides and flooding the ground. 

Water spilling over gutters and downspouts is one of the signs you have clogged gutters. Other signs of clogged gutters include sagging gutters and stains on your home’s siding. 

What to do about clogged gutters is easy. Regular gutter cleaning will keep water flowing in (and not over) your gutters and through your downspouts. Gutter cleaning is something you can do yourself or you could hire a local gutter cleaning pro from Home Gnome and let someone else remove all the muck. 

But let’s get back to the signs you have clogged gutters because gutters that are overflowing, sagging, or full of debris can cause roof damage/leaks, cracked foundations, basement flooding, pest infestations, and ice dams in winter or fires in summer. 

1. Water Spilling Over Gutters

Water spilling from gutter
Photo Credit: VISUAL BACKGROUND / Adobe Stock

Water spilling over your gutters is hard to miss. You’ll see the overflowing water as you pull into your driveway or hear it hitting the ground on the side or behind your house. 

“Your gutters are designed to channel water away from your [home],” explains Aerotech, a gutter, siding, and window cleaning company serving Missouri, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. “When getters become clogged … they can’t effectively [do that].”

Don’t ignore the overflowing water as it can drown your plants, ruin your landscaping, and damage your home’s foundation. 

If you notice stormwater runoff overflowing from the tops of your gutters or see standing water or erosion left behind, there’s most likely a blockage preventing the water from draining smoothly.

Cleaning your gutters once or twice a year — potentially more often if you live in a wooded area — can help solve this issue.

2. Sagging Gutters

Gutters will sag with an excessive amount of leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris in them — just as a bookshelf or pantry shelf will sag under the weight of a collection of good reads or grocery items.

If you clean your own gutters, check for signs of bending, cracking, or separation from your roof. A benefit of having a pro clean your gutters, though, is that they may notice signs you could miss. 

“Professional gutter cleaners … can spot potential issues [that] may not be visible to the untrained eye,” says Aerotech.

3. Stains on Your Home’s Siding

Stains on your home’s siding can be caused by runoff from rainstorms (or snowstorms) consistently overflowing your gutters. This water and dampness can seep through the wood, leaving behind dark water stains. 

Additional discoloration from water damage can be caused by resulting mold, mildew, and rust. Furthermore, this type of water damage can also end up destroying your gutter system completely.

Cleaning your gutters DIY style or with the help of a pro can also ensure your siding gets a good inspection. An up-close look will reveal any stains that may be present.

My Tip: I noticed some patches of green forming on our siding due to our overflowing gutters, but beyond marring our home’s facade, I knew the growth of mold and mildew could lead to potential health problems if left untreated. 

4. Plants Growing in Gutters

Plant growing in gutter
Photo Credit: VirtualVista / Adobe Stock

Standing water in your gutters combined with dirt and debris that has collected there is the perfect environment for wayward seeds to root and grow. This obstructs your gutters even further by sprouting weeds and other plant life.

With a whole new ecosystem comes more signs of life, as in wildlife, which brings me to my next point.

5. Birds and Pests in Gutters

Any standing water in your gutters will draw pests, including mosquitos, ants, roaches, and termites. Mosquitos use standing water to lay their eggs. Other pests also like to nest near water, as it provides hydration and may indicate food is in close proximity.

Standing water in clogged gutters also is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can ultimately infiltrate your water system and spread disease. If severe, mold can eat away at a home’s structure, weakening it and causing parts of it to completely collapse.

6. Standing Water Near Foundation

When water spills over the sides of your clogged gutters every time it rains, it can pool around your home’s foundation. This can lead to basement flooding and other leaks inside your home. 

Besides leaks and flooding, the standing water in your yard draws mosquitoes and other pests, and can swamp plants near your home. 

FAQ About Clogged Gutters

How can you unclog a gutter?

Clearing clogged gutters is an easy but unpleasant DIY job for most homeowners. All you need is a ladder, work gloves, and a bucket or trash bag. 

Follow this guide to clean gutters safely yourself: How to Clean Gutters Safely Using a Ladder

Of course, if you’d rather not do any of that — or if you’re physically unable or just don’t have the time — Home Gnome connects you to the best local gutter cleaning pros to take this annual or semi-annual job off your to-do list

My Tip: My preferred method of gutter cleaning is to suck up the muck with a gutter cleaning vacuum, which allows me to work from the ground. It also cleans the gutter more efficiently. 

Why do gutters get clogged?

Gutters get clogged because things fall into them, restricting the movement of water. A major culprit? The gorgeous canopy of trees surrounding your home. If close enough to your roof and gutters, dropped twigs, leaves, and dirt can easily end up in your gutters, collecting over time. 

Other causes of clogged gutters include:

  • Faulty gutter design/drainage system
  • Heavy snow
  • Insufficient regular cleaning
  • Lack of gutter guards

Find a Gutter Cleaning Expert Near You

Fortunately, we fixed the issues of our overflowing gutters early enough that no significant damage occurred to our home. But, if you’re noticing issues with standing water or with things like gutter sagging, siding stains, or vegetation growth in your gutters, you likely have a clog.

Again, you can clear most clogged gutters by yourself, no problem. But, if your gutter blockage is critical, you don’t quite feel safe using a ladder, or you’d rather have someone else handle this annual chore for you, Home Gnome can connect you to a gutter cleaning pro near you

These experts have the proper tools and know-how to free your gutters of any current blockages and maintain them to prevent future clogs. They can also spot other issues before they get out of hand, saving you money on potential repairs or replacements down the road.

Main Photo Credit: atipong / Adobe Stock

Andrea Butler

Andréa Butler has a passion for writing, editing, and binge-watching home improvement shows. While she’s just getting started on her DIY journey, she enjoys researching new projects and testing them out. Besides aspiring to be a handier woman, she also enjoys singing and reading.