When a major rainstorm moves through town, most homeowners are relieved when it is over. The rain stops, the clouds clear, and life goes back to normal. But before you move on with your day, it is worth taking a few minutes to walk around your home.
Major storms have a way of revealing things that are easy to miss during normal weather. Water moves differently during heavy rain, gutters handle more volume, and drainage areas get tested.
The good news is that you do not need special tools or a ladder to learn a lot about how your gutter system is performing. A simple walk around your property can tell you quite a bit.
If you have ever wondered what to look for after a major storm, this homeowner’s checklist is a great place to start.
Check For Water Overflow Marks
One of the easiest things to spot after a storm is evidence of water overflowing from the gutters.
The next time a heavy rain passes through, take a look at the outside of your gutters. Do you see dirt streaks running down the face of the gutter? Are there watermarks on the siding below?
Overflow often leaves clues behind.
Even if you did not see the overflow happen, these marks can tell you that water went somewhere it was not supposed to go.
Pay special attention to corners, roof valleys, and long gutter runs. These areas often handle the most water during a storm.
Look For Water Pooling Near Your Foundation
As you walk around your home, take a look at the ground near the foundation.
Some moisture is normal after a major storm. Large puddles that remain long after the rain has stopped are worth noticing.
The next time you check your property, look for:
- Standing water
- Muddy areas
- Soft ground near the house
- Areas where water appears to collect repeatedly
You are not trying to diagnose anything. You are simply observing how water behaves around your home.
Patterns matter.
Watch For Gutters Pulling Away From The Roofline
Take a few steps back from your home and look up at the gutter line.
Does everything appear straight and secure? Or do you notice small gaps between the gutter and the fascia?
Major storms can sometimes make existing issues more obvious. Water is heavy, and when gutters are carrying a large volume of water, weak areas become easier to spot.
You may notice:
- Sections that appear lower than others
- Small separations from the fascia
- Areas that look uneven
Even subtle changes are worth paying attention to.
Check The Downspout Discharge Areas
The next place to look is where water exits the system. Walk over to your downspouts and look at the ground around them.
Did water move away from the home the way you expected?
Or do you see:
- Washed-out mulch
- Small trenches in the soil
- Muddy patches
- Areas where water appears to have collected
The next time a storm rolls through the Ogden area, it can be helpful to watch these areas during the rain and again after it ends.
Water should leave the system and continue moving away from the home.
Look For Water Stains On the Siding Or Fascia
Water often leaves a trail. As you walk around your home, look closely at the siding and fascia boards. Do you notice any new stains, streaks, or discoloration? These marks can sometimes indicate that water traveled somewhere unexpected during the storm.
The signs may be small at first. A faint streak today may become more noticeable after several storms. That is why it helps to pay attention to changes instead of looking for major damage.
Pay Attention To Roof Valleys
Roof valleys handle a tremendous amount of water.
When two roof sections meet, they funnel runoff into one concentrated area. The next time it rains heavily, take a moment to watch these locations. Do you notice unusually strong water flow? Does one section of the gutter appear to be handling significantly more water than the rest?
Roof valleys often reveal performance issues before other parts of the system. Because they handle such a large volume of water, they tend to expose weaknesses first.
Look For Standing Water Inside The Gutters
After the storm has passed, take a look at the gutters if you can safely see inside them from the ground.
Water should not remain in the system for an extended period of time. The next day is often a great time to check.
If you can see areas where water appears to be sitting long after rainfall has ended, make a mental note of those locations.
Standing water can reveal things about how the system is performing, and usually indicates a pitch issue.
Walk Around And Listen
Sometimes your ears can tell you just as much as your eyes.
After a storm, take a slow walk around the outside of your home and listen.
Do you hear:
- Consistent dripping
- Water trickling where it normally does not
- Unusual sounds near corners or downspouts
Many homeowners focus entirely on what they can see.
Listening can reveal things that are easy to miss visually.
The combination of seeing and hearing often gives you a more complete picture of what happened during the storm.
Compare What You Saw To Previous Storms
One storm does not always tell the whole story. What matters most is whether you are seeing the same things over and over again.
Think back to previous rainstorms.
Did the same area overflow again? Is the same downspout creating muddy spots?
When something happens repeatedly, it usually deserves attention.
When To Call The Rain Gutter Contractors In Ogden
Sometimes your observations point to something bigger.
If you notice any of the following after multiple storms, it may be worth having a professional take a closer look:
- Water overflowing from the same area every time it rains
- Gutters visibly pulling away from the fascia
- Standing water remaining in the system long after rain ends
- Water pooling near the foundation after multiple storms
- Water running behind the gutters
- Large sections of the system are sagging
- New water stains appearing on siding or fascia
- Downspouts that do not seem to move water away from the home
If you continue seeing these patterns, reaching out to your local rain gutter contractors in Ogden before the next major storm can help you better understand what is happening.
Many homeowners wait until a larger problem develops, which can become a very expensive problem. When you notice the warning signs, get it handled before the warning signs turn into major issues.
What To Remember After A Major Rainstorm
Major storms are one of the best opportunities to learn how your gutter system is performing. Take a few minutes to walk around your property, observe how water moved, and pay attention to any changes you notice. Small observations today can help you better understand your home’s drainage patterns and spot concerns before they become larger issues.
And if you find yourself repeatedly noticing the same warning signs, that is often when homeowners should begin reaching out to rain gutter contractors for a closer look.