Rain Gutter Troubleshooting Guide

• Caulking hasn't bonded properly

• Caulking has split or pulled away

• Miter has not been caulked

• Recaulk miter

• Caulk miter

• Downspout return is too shallow

• Downspout outlet not sealed properly

• Elbow installed incorrectly

• Reslope downspout return

• Reseat and seal outlet

• Reinstall elbow

• 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

• End caps caulking missing or broken.

• Rake tile transferring water to gutter

• Recaulk end cap

• Adjust rake tile

• 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
  

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• 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

• 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 (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.

• 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

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

• Not enough downspouts.

• Downspout return too shallow

• Remove blockage and clean gutters

• install downspout strainer or the Wedge

• Install a leaf protection system.

• Add downspouts.

• Modify return at a steeper angle.

• 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

• Buy a good set of earplugs