Have you noticed overflowing gutters when it rains? Here are five common problems that could be causing the deluge of water and what you can do about it.
What Is the Purpose of Gutters and Are They Necessary?
Water might be life, but it can wreak havoc on your home if not kept in check
Get quotes from gutter repair and replacement pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from gutter repair and replacement pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Gutters on a house channel water away from your foundation, preventing erosion that leads to basement leaks and structural damage over time.
Foundation repairs cost around $5,000, water damage restoration ranges from $1,200 to $5,300, and fascia replacement averages $2,300, so gutters protect you from these expenses.
You need to keep gutters clean so water flows freely to downspouts, preventing overflow that damages fascia and creates puddles near your foundation.
Hiring a local gutter cleaning professional keeps your system working properly through regular maintenance, clog removal, and repairs when water backs up or overflows.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Your gutters provide an essential function—guiding water away from your home so it doesn’t get damaged. Regardless of how gently or infrequently it rains or snows where you live, rain gutters play a crucial role in keeping your home and your property protected from water. Here are all the things that rain gutters do.
Protect Your Foundation
Gutters are a water management system that helps channel water flow away from your home during rain storms. Most gutters connect to your home’s eave and catch the water that flows off your roof. The water travels down the gutter system through downspouts, which then redirect the water either into your yard, to a waste system, or to a rainwater collection system—far away from your home’s precious foundation.
If water were to hit the foundation every time it rained, the water would cause erosion over time. Eroding foundations can lead to basement leaks and structural damage, and foundation problems aren’t cheap. Foundation repairs cost homeowners an average of $5,000, so keeping your foundation protected will save you money in the long run.
Prevent Interior Flooding
Along with damage to your foundation, rain can cause flooding in your basement. By redirecting water away from your home's exterior siding, gutters and downspouts help prevent water from seeping into your home and causing costly flooding. According to HomeAdvisor, the average water damage restoration cost is between $1,200 and $5,300. Your gutters can save you from this costly repair.
Stop Fascia From Rotting
Two elements of your roof system are the soffit and fascia. The soffits are the underside of the roof overhang, but the fascia covers the rafter ends, creating a surface along the edge of the roof. Fascia boards serve several purposes, including protecting your home from water hitting it directly and keeping pests from getting in between your walls and roof.
If your gutters get clogged and overflow when it rains, the water can hit the wooden fascia. It only takes a few hours for the fascia to start breaking down, so we can’t overstate the importance of gutter cleaning. The average cost to replace fascia boards and soffits is around $2,300, and your gutters protect you from this costly problem.
Help Avoid a Cracking Driveway
Rain gutters that improperly divert water, or the absence of rain gutters, can allow water to pool in puddles on your driveway. Eventually, that water will cause cracks and bowing, where the soil underneath the concrete swells and lifts the concrete up. Driveway repairs cost between $1,000 and $3,600, and even patching is a costly task.
Prevent Landscape Erosion
CatLane / Getty Images
You put a lot of effort into your landscaping, and it would be a shame if water washed away all your hard work. Gutters divert water away from your plants and shrubs so it doesn’t knock them over. They also keep water from causing dips in your yard.
Provide Pest Control
Bugs love water—especially mosquitos. Without a type of gutter system, you run the risk of having standing water on your property, around your foundation, and in your home. Do yourself and your patio guests a favor and hire a gutter cleaning service to keep your gutters in good working order (and to repair or install new gutters) so they don’t clog up with standing water.
Keep Your Exterior Clean
If water can just roll down your roof and onto the ground, the chances are that it’ll splash up onto your siding at some point. And when you have puddles on your lawn or landscaping, those splashes will carry dirt onto your house, making it look messy. If your gutters work like they’re supposed to, they’ll help keep your home looking clean and pristine.
When Don’t You Need Gutters?
Though rain gutters serve many purposes, there are some circumstances when you might be able to do without them. You may not need them if:
Your geographic area doesn’t experience a lot of rain or snow.
Your home has gotten along without gutters for a long time without damage.
The ground on your property naturally slopes away from your home.
Do Gutters Require Cleaning?
According to Angi customers, about a third of homeowners who request gutter cleaning—roughly 33%—are simply keeping up with regular maintenance. But the majority of cleaning requests, around 61%, come from homeowners who are already dealing with problems like clogged gutters, water that isn’t draining properly, or water overflowing during storms.
What Are Some Gutter Alternatives?
Not all homes have gutters, and though gutters aren't required in a home, they are important when it comes to protecting your home from water damage, mold, erosion, and more. Still, gutters aren't for everyone—especially if you don't like the way they look but still want to protect your home from water and erosion damage. Fortunately, there are several gutter alternatives on the market, including:
Drip path
French drain
Box gutters
Grading
Rain dispersal
Hidden gutters
Frequently Asked Questions
Gutter repairs and replacements reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 19 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Emily W.
I am highly satisfied with the window replacement service I received; the professionals from Savvy Exteriors were punctual and did an amazing job that exceeded my expectations.
Savvy Exteriors - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
- Angie M.
When we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLC - Jessica F.
Window depot replaced all 14 windows in my house, front door and added a new back door. They did a wonderful job with some tricky windows in this old house. They were quick but efficient and cleaned up everything inside and out. I have already passed their contact information on to my...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio
The homeowners guide to gutter repairs and replacements
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Rain chains replace downspouts or gutter systems while adding beauty to a home. Keep reading to learn what a rain chain is and whether one is right for you.
Common gutter alternatives include rain chains, French drains, drip edges, and rain dispersal systems. Keep reading to see which gutter alternative is best.
Ease, availability, price, and effectiveness make rain barrels a great water conservation tool for your home. Check out these benefits of rain barrels.
Your gutter downspouts play a critical role in preventing costly water and foundation damage. If yours aren’t working properly, use this guide to troubleshoot the problem.
Ensuring your gutter is properly installed will protect your home from water overflow. Learn how far your gutter should be from the roof edge and the facia board.