- A blockage. Moss, leaves and silt build up, often near the outlet into the downpipe. This is the most usual cause.
- A blocked downpipe. The gutter may be clear, but the pipe below it is full.
- The gutter has dropped or sagged. Water collects in a dip instead of running to the outlet.
- Leaking joints. Water drips from the joins rather than going over the top.
- Very heavy rain. In a downpour, even a clear gutter can sometimes overflow for a short time.
What to do: if it overflows every time it rains, it's almost always a blockage. I can clear it from the ground with a gutter vac and check it with a camera. If it turns out to be a repair, such as a sagging section or a leaking joint, I'll tell you what I've found so you can get the right person in. Free gutter check.
- Gutter cleaning in Deal
- Gutter cleaning in Ashford
- Gutter cleaning in Folkestone
- Gutter cleaning in Hythe
- Gutter cleaning in Romney Marsh
- Gutter cleaning in Dover
How to tell which problem you've got
Watch the gutter in heavy rain if you can. Water pouring over one section, usually near a corner or outlet, points to a blockage. Water dripping from a join points to a leaking joint. If the downpipe stays dry while the gutter overflows, the outlet or the pipe is blocked. If water sits in one dip along the gutter, it may have dropped.
Why it matters
An overflowing gutter sends water straight down your wall and onto the ground by the house. Left for months, that can lead to damp walls, stained brickwork and render, and soft or uneven ground below.