How to Prevent Gutter Overflow in Your Two-Story Home

Like most homeowners, you may not pay much attention to your gutters until they get clogged. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but when the gutters on your two-story home start overflowing, it can lead to several problems.

For one, clogged gutters increase the chances of pest infestations and mold growth, posing a health risk to you and your family. Secondly, the rain gutter overflow can end up in your lawn, causing extensive water damage to your basement, yard, and foundation. If left unchecked, these problems can lead to costly repairs and long-term damage to your home.

At Ace Gutter, we live and breathe all things rain gutters. With years of experience, we know what it takes to keep your gutters working efficiently. The tips we’re sharing in this post are based on our expertise and can help you prevent gutter overflow and save money on costly repairs. 

Let’s check them out one by one.

1. Identify the Causes of Gutter Overflow

Before diving into gutter overflow solutions, it’s helpful to understand why it happens in the first place. Typically, your two-story home gutters may overflow, because of:

• Clogged Gutters: Leaves, twigs, and other debris can clog your gutters, preventing water from flowing through them properly.
• Improper Gutter Size: If your gutters are too small for the amount of rainfall your area typically gets, they will overflow. This could be a problem even in Utah, which is considered the third-driest state in the US. 
• Improper Slope: Gutters need to be installed at the correct slope to allow water to flow toward the downspouts. If they’re not sloped properly, water can pool and overflow.

Blocked Downspouts: Even if your gutters are clean, water can’t flow out of them if the downspouts are blocked.

2. Clean Your Gutters Regularly

Regular cleaning is the easiest way to prevent gutter overflow. The question is, how often should you clean your gutters? As a leading gutter cleaning service in Utah, we recommend cleaning it at least twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. However, if you have a lot of trees near your house, you may need to clean them more frequently.

While this may seem like a simple task, cleaning gutters on a two-story house can be risky, especially if you haven’t done this before. It’s best to hire a professional like Ace Gutter to do it for you. We are thorough, professional, and take all the necessary safety precautions when cleaning your two-story home gutters.

3. Install Gutter Guards

Gutter guards, or leaf guards, prevent debris from entering your gutters in the first place, reducing the chances of gutter overflow. Gutter guards are a must for your two-story home, especially if it’s surrounded by a lot of trees.

Leaf guards typically have a micro-mesh or sieves, which allow only water to flow through while keeping out leaves, twigs, and other debris. This can reduce the need for frequent cleaning and help prevent gutter overflow.

You can find different types of gutter guards, including mesh, screen, reverse curve, and foam. Each type has its pros and cons, so you’ll need to choose the one that’s best for your home and budget. At Ace Gutter, we offer three leaf guards – Bulldog, Leaf Blaster, and Leaf Sentry. These 100% American-made guards come with a minimum 25-year clog-free guarantee.

4. Check the Gutter Slope

If your gutters are clean but continue to overflow, you might want to check their slope. Typically, water pools and overflows from gutters that are too flat. On the other hand, if they’re too steep, water can rush too quickly and overflow the sides.

Most homes, including two-story houses, require a slope of 1/4 inch for every 10 feet to prevent gutter overflow. If you suspect slope may be the culprit, we recommend hiring a professional to check and adjust the level of your rain gutters.

5. Inspect and Clear Downspouts

Keeping your downspouts clog-free is as important as cleaning the gutters. Even if your gutters are clean, water can’t flow out if the downspouts are clogged.

Inspect your downspouts regularly for blockages. You can use a garden hose to flush water through them to check for clogs. If water doesn’t flow freely, you’ll need to clear the blockage. You can use a small scoop and gloves to do it yourself.

However, hiring a Utah gutter cleaning expert is always a good idea for two reasons – one, they can clean your downspout without causing any damage, and two, they will have your entire gutter system checked to see if there are any other issues.

6. Upgrade to Larger Gutters and Downspouts

If your gutters are frequently overflowing despite being clean and properly sloped, they may be too small to handle the rainfall in your area. Larger gutters can handle more water, reducing the risk of overflow during intense thunderstorms, which are becoming common in Utah.

However, upgrading gutters on a two-story home isn’t a DIY job. It’s best to hire a professional who can help you determine the best size based on the size of your roof and the typical rainfall in your area. They will complete the installation quickly and efficiently, keeping your curb appeal intact and your property safe.

7. Hire Professional Gutter Cleaning Services

While you do it yourself, two-story home gutter cleaning comes with a few inherent challenges and risks. For one, you’ll need proper safety gear, a firm ladder, and other tools and know how to use them safely, which can be overwhelming. Secondly, you must stay safe when cleaning gutters, which can be tricky if you haven’t done this before.

But when you call in professional gutter cleaning services, you don’t have to worry about your safety. They can identify potential issues, recommend solutions, and provide regular maintenance without the added stress. A professional cleanup also helps extend the lifespan of your rain gutters.

In Conclusion

Preventing gutter overflow in your two-story home is all about regular maintenance, cleaning, and being proactive. Keeping your gutters clean, properly sloped, and free of clogs can ensure they function smoothly and protect your home from water damage, even during heavy rainfalls. But cleaning gutters on a two-story house can be risky. It’s best to leave this job to the professionals.

Don’t let gutter overflow rain on your parade. Let us take care of it. We’ll keep your gutters and downspouts in top shape. Contact us today to get your free quote!