Rain gutters are a valuable fixture that helps avoid foundational and structural damage. Rain gutters Redding protect your home from dampness, flooding, mold growth, and more. We believe these are all costly problems to repair. So, when a leak develops you need to make sure that you get it fixed right away. While you can avoid leaks for several years by having professionals install your gutter system, there will be a time when the best of installations wear down.

Knowing what causes leaks can help you take preventative steps to avoid them. These are 5 common causes of leaky rain gutters.

  1. Clogs

We have found clogged gutters to be the most common cause of leakages in both commercial and residential gutter systems. Debris from trees, dead animals, or bird nests can create a wet mass in the gutter that doesn’t allow water to flow by. This will cause overflowing and may even bring the fixture crashing down. Regular gutter maintenance can go a long way in keeping everything functioning as it should.

  1. Loose Hangers

Gutter hangers are used to attach rain gutters to the fascia board. Sometimes, a leak could be because of loose gutters. Rain gutters tend to sag over time, especially when dealing with rainwater that is clogged by wet mass. Water can start seeping through the joints causing leaks to spring up. You should immediately call technicians to fasten all hangers. This will make sure the system is running as it should.

  1. Cracks

Galvanized steel gutter systems often develop leaks. This is especially common at the joints. Galvanized steel when exposed to severe weather changes becomes brittle and may develop cracks at gutter nails, braces, and seams. You should repaint the entire gutter systems along with all accessories several times throughout the year to counter this. This will prevent rust from accumulating under the paint coat.

  1. Gaps and Holes

Ill-maintained metal rain gutters may contract rust, which can easily develop into gaps and holes. This usually happens when water is frequently allowed to pool within the gutters. While you should prevent this from happening, there are certain steps you can take towards damage control. You could use silicone waterproof sealant to fill the gaps and holes. This will allow you to keep the gutters functioning a little longer.

  1. Improperly Sloped Gutters

This is usually the case with gutters that are installed by amateurs. Your rain gutter system needs to be at a proper downward slope to run the rainwater directly towards the downspout and outlet. Without the right slope, rainwater will form pools along the gutter causing leaks. Rain gutters Redding that are installed by inexperienced contractors are more prone to developing leaks.