Why do my gutters drip water after heavy rain?

Why does water stay in the gutter after rain?

Water stays in the gutter after rain when it can't run freely to the downpipe. A properly fitted gutter slopes gently towards its outlet and empties within minutes of the rain stopping. If it keeps dripping for an hour or more, something is holding the water back.

What are the most common causes?

The most common causes of dripping after rain are:

• Sagging between brackets: a section has dropped, often because brackets have loosened or the fascia behind them has softened, so water pools in the dip and leaks out slowly.
• Blocked or slow outlets: leaves, moss or silt sit over the outlet, so water drains slowly and spills over the edge.
• Debris holding water: moss and compacted leaves act like a sponge and release water for hours.
• Leaking joints: standing water sits against a joint with a worn seal and seeps out gradually.
• Too little fall: the gutter was fitted almost level, so water doesn't run to the outlet.

Why is this common on Paignton homes?

This is common on Paignton homes because many roofs collect moss, leaves and gull nesting material, all of which slow water down. Wind-driven rain from storms across Torbay also puts gutters under heavy load. On older properties, years of damp can soften timber fascias, so brackets slowly lose their grip and the gutter sags.

Is dripping after rain a problem?

Dripping after rain is a problem if it happens regularly. Standing water adds weight to the gutter, which pulls on the brackets and makes sagging worse. It also keeps the fascia and the wall below wet for longer, which leads to rot, staining and damp. In salty coastal air, wet metal brackets and screws rust faster.

How is it fixed?

It's fixed by clearing any blockage, then checking the fall along the whole run. A contractor will re-fix or add brackets to restore the slope, reseal or replace leaking joints, and repair any soft fascia so the brackets hold. See how to stop a dripping gutter.

Is it different from dripping during rain?

It is different from dripping during rain. Overflow during a very heavy downpour can be normal, but dripping long after the rain has stopped almost always means trapped water. Read whether it's normal for gutters to drip in heavy rain.

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