Rain Running Behind Gutters

If the water fills the inside of the gutter this means the gutters are clogged.

Rain running behind gutters.

The reason water flows behind gutters is a combination of a few things. One main cause is simply not having enough overhang on the roof edging or the roof covering itself. This does not allow the water to be carried far enough out. If the gutter is clogged some of that water will back up on the roof soaking it.

Many of the solid gutter covers are design to take advantage of this water characteristic. If this is the case this tutorial will help you clean your gutters. The first cause is when the roofing material is installed many roofers will not extend the roofing material past the roof edging or drip edge. A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter.

When the roof shingles do not extend past the metal drip edge the water will suck back on the metal drip edge this is called capillary action and run behind your gutters. If the gutters look clear run a hose and fill the gutters with water. If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your roof and into the ground.

The gutter apron will prevent the dripping. Water gets behind the gutter. Is the water running down the roof not going into the gutter and instead flowing behind the gutter. In addition to the drip flashing you should check that the gutters are properly affixed.

Water should run out the downspout and away from the house without filling the gutter. When gutters become clogged with debris such as leaves twigs and pine needles then water is no longer effectively channeled into the downspouts and away from your home. If the gutter isn t clogged then you need a gutter apron. If so then there is a problem with the gutter and or flashing installation.

And it doesn t stop there. If you have rain water running behind your gutters then it is likely that you have clogged gutters. Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface around.