Troubleshooting

Problem

Cause

Solution

Water drips from rain gutter miter

Caulking hasn’t bonded properly

Caulking has split or pulled away

Miter has not been caulked

Recaulk miter

Caulk miter

Water drips from elbow at downspout

Downspout return is too shallow

Downspout outlet not sealed properly

Elbow installed incorrectly

Reslope downspout return

Reseat and seal outlet

Reinstall elbow

Water drips behind rain gutter (between gutter and fascia board)

Tile or shingle not out far enough

Roof valley improperly installed

Water is under shingle or tile.

Roof lacks proper flashing

Move shingle or tile out further

Repair valley, or shim with metal

Check for proper skylight, solar panel, or vent flashing.

Check for proper lapping on tile roofs

Install proper roof flashing.

Call a licensed roofing professional

Water drips from end of gutter

End caps caulking missing or broken.

Rake tile transferring water to gutter

Recaulk end cap

Adjust rake tile

Water drips between wall or chimney and the end of the gutter

To be properly flashed, the wall and chimney areas should have a 3″ piece of diverter flashing installed as part of the roof flashing. If this is missing, water cannot fall into the gutter.

Install proper flashing

Click here to see Diagram

Water standing in the gutter

Up to 1″

Gutters are not sloped to drain water out. Therefore, all gutter will hold some water, this is considered normal and does not affect the performance of the rain gutter.

Requires no adjustment, as water will usually dissipate and evaporate within a short period of time

Water standing in the gutter

Over 1″

Gutter not sloped enough, (depending upon length)

House and/or fascia board has an out of level area

Gutter length too long for water to dissipate

Lower gutter if practical

Add another downspout

Water overshoots the gutter (all around the house).

Water overshoots the gutter (at the roof valleys).

Rain Gutter too narrow.

Water condensed in roof valleys can easily gain enough momentum to cause it to project over (overshoot) the gutter.

Install Rain Stop Flashing on the gutters, or replace with wider gutters.

Install a 15″ Baffle at all roof valleys.

Gutter pulling loose from fascia board

Hanger / spike bent or improperly installed

Wrong hanger used

Spikes or hangers spaced too far apart

Wood has dried, causing spike hole to expand

Spout is clogged, gutter is filling with water and this weight is pulling fasteners loose

Replace hanger or spike

Installed proper or higher quality spike

Install more spikes or hangers

Respike where necessary

Unclog spout and refasten gutter

Gutters overflowed during the last rain

Leaves, loose shingles, or some debris is blocking the downspout

Not enough downspouts

Downspout return too shallow

Remove blockage and clean gutte

install downspout strainer or the Wedge

Install a leaf protection system

Add downspouts

Modify return at a steeper angle

After a rain, I hear a “tapping” sound.

The small amount of water left in the gutter is dripping down the downspout and hitting an elbow.

Slope the gutter more if its a short section

Using spray adhesive, glue a thin sponge to the bottom kicker elbow

Offset the downspout at the bottom at least six inches

Install a vinyl spout

Snake a cotton rope through the downspout from the gutter to the ground. This will “wick” out the water