After a harsh storm hits your area, you first rush to check your home’s major structures, like the windows and roof. However, in such a situation, you should check your home’s exterior, specifically the gutter. These are important for draining thousands of gallons of water away from your fascia, roof, and foundation. So, if the storm damages them, it can quickly lead to basement flooding, compromise your structural integrity, and cause wood to rot. Therefore, a thorough and systematic inspection is crucial.

You must be wondering how to assess gutter damage after a major storm. This blog will discuss for your convenience.

Be Safe

Avoid climbing a ladder when your roof is wet or when it’s too windy. Most assessments usually begin from the ground. Wear strong shoes, gloves, and protective eyewear. Grab binoculars to get a close-up view of the whole running gutter from a distance. If you think you will need a ladder later, make sure you firmly set it on dry, level ground to spot the damage. If you are uncomfortable doing this, it’s best to call a professional.

Visual Inspection

You can see a lot of damage without even leaving the patio. Walk around your house and focus on these signs:

Dents and Punctures

Hailstorms leave behind tiny dents called “pockmarking”. At the same time, tree branches cause large, prominent punctures, compromising the gutter’s potential to hold water.

Sagging or Pulling Away

Gutters should sit flush against the fascia board. If you see parts sagging, visibly pulling away, or bowing from your roofline, that means spikes or hangers are damaged. This is usually due to high water weight, heavy winds, or large debris accumulation.

Disconnected Downspouts

Search for disconnected downspouts. These are the ones that are either separated from the gutter outlet or lying on the ground. Apart from this, also check the bottom elbow; if the water is not directed or is not drained at least four to six feet away from your foundation, that is not a good sign.

Up-Close Inspection

If the ground inspection uncovers issues, and there is no problem in climbing the ladder, take an up-close inspection. This will confirm the problem’s extent:

Internal Clogs and Debris

Check the gutters to see whether the residues of the storm’s debris are clogging them or not. These can be leaves, small branches, or shingle granules, resulting in overflow and premature aging.

Bent Hangers and Spikes

Thoroughly inspect the metal spikes or brackets that hold the gutter. Their bent position or missing, compromise the structure’s integrity. The outcome? It won’t be strong enough to handle the next heavy rain.

Seam Separation

In the sectional gutter’s case, check the seam and corner joints. Harsh winds can stress these weak points, resulting and separation and leakage.

For professional and flawless gutter damage assessment, you can use The Gutter Queen. They can assist you and repair or replace the exterior.