Water Dripping From Gutters

Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface.

Water dripping from gutters.

The problem is that when the water backs up due to a clog this could potentially cause it to leak through your roof as well. Therefore it s important that you have your gutters cleaned at least once a year. When water starts leaking from the gutter you know you ve got your work cut out for you. It finally rained for a while today and i noticed that there were water droplets along the entire length of the gutter see attached photograph.

Keeping your gutters and downspouts free from debris is an incredibly important task. For gutters to work properly they must be properly sloped toward the downspouts and the roof must have a drip edge that clears the sides of the gutters closest to the house. However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house. The gutter apron will prevent the dripping.

A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter. The drip edge is a component installed along the eaves of your roof that helps to direct water flow and project it outward ideally into your gutters where it will be safely carried away. If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. When water drips between the fascia and the gutters the problem could be a compromised drip edge but it s also possible the gutters are overflowing.

Home centers sell a gutter apron in 10 ft. Usually this is due to gutter fasteners rusting. If the drip edge is installed incorrectly or takes on some damage from time or weather it can often result in water just not quite making it to the gutters. A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck.

Over time rain gutters often start to pull away from the roof allowing water to drip over the gutter sides or between the gutters and the walls. 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. The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters.