Can Leaking Gutters Damage Your Roof?

Leaking gutters can damage your roof, walls, and foundations. Discover the warning signs, causes, and how to prevent costly repairs with expert advice.

It’s critical that you maintain your gutters regularly, and that your checks are completely thorough. 

Although it might not sound like a big deal, leaking gutters is a serious issue. If left unchecked, it can cause serious and costly damage to numerous parts of your property, including your roof. 

Below, our roofing experts have outlined the problems that can arise as a result of blocked or leaking guttering. They’ve also outlined some of the most common reasons why guttering can start to cause issues, so that you can resolve the situation as promptly as possible. 

Problems caused by leaking or blocked gutters

The presence of unmoving water can cause significant damage to a property, and affect numerous structural features. As a result, leaking or blocked gutters can quickly cause a long list of expensive problems. 

These include: 

Flooding

When gutters overflow, the water has to go somewhere. In many cases, this results in the water running straight down the walls of the property, or pooling at the base. Over time, or during heavy rain spells, this can quickly develop into flooding in gardens, or driveways. Or, in extreme cases, flooding can develop around the foundations, or even in basements or the property’s ground level).

Brickwork damage

If water is constantly running down the exterior walls, the brickwork can quickly deteriorate. The water can wear away mortar joints, and lead to flaking or crumbling in the surface of bricks. In addition to a major aesthetic problem, it can also weaken the entire structure.

Damp

Damp can quickly develop both inside and outside of the property. On your exterior walls, damp can emerge as staining or green patches. Then, if left untreated, this can seep inside the property, causing staining, peeling paint or wallpaper, mould growth, unpleasant smells, or damaged plaster. 

Foundation damage

As mentioned above, flooding can lead to pooling water around the base of your property. This can be extremely risky for your foundations, and cause shifting soil, pressure build-up, cracks and unstable foundations – all of which represent very costly repairs.

Wood rot

If leaking gutters are allowed to persist, it can impact your wooden features just as much as the brickwork. An excess of water can soon lead to significant damage to wooden decking, fencing, sheds, or window frames. If wood rot sets in, the wood quickly weakens and deteriorates, usually meaning a full replacement is needed.

Common guttering problems

Some of the most common causes of gutter problems are: 

• Debris in the gutter – If a build-up of leaves, moss, twigs, and dirt occurs over time. If this isn’t cleared, water can’t drain, meaning it starts to overflow.
• Blocked downpipes – Equally, blockages in the downpipes can occur as a result of debris. Although it might not be as easy to spot as gutter debris, this can also prevent water from draining correctly. 
• Broken guttering – For example, cracks, holes or loose sections in the guttering. This can result in a concentrated, fast-flowing water leak.

How to avoid gutter problems 

Thankfully, the majority of guttering problems can be prevented simply and effectively. 

By implementing a regular schedule of checks and maintenance, you can minimise the risks of blockages occurring, and identify any guttering faults, before the issue is allowed to develop.

Your maintenance schedule should include clearing out debris at least twice a year, carefully checking for any signs of leaks during heavy rainfall, and regularly inspecting your downpipes. 

Then, if you notice any persistent issues – such as long-term damp, pooling water, or broken sections of guttering – speak to a professional. They will quickly repair your guttering, and ensure that your property’s roof, walls and foundations are protected from any further damage. 

At B&S Roofing, we are expert roofers, providing all manner of roofing maintenance and building services, to domestic and commercial clients alike. To enlist our team to repair or replace your gutters, or to assist with roof repairs, don’t hesitate to get in touch.