Gutters are effective at channeling rainwater through downspouts to the appropriate areas. However, when the water flow is not as smooth as it should be, the resulting noise can be annoying enough to disrupt your sleeping or working hours. So what is the best way to fix noisy rain gutters?
The best way to fix noisy rain gutters is by re-adjusting the gutter angles, tightening straps and fasteners, insulating downspout elbows, adjusting gutter hangers, and cleaning the gutters regularly. All these are temporary fixes, should the problems persist, it would be best to call a plumber.
Be sure to read the following guidelines I have compiled, from extensive research on gutters and their installation procedures.
What Are the Common Reasons for Noisy Gutters?
When the sound of rain hitting the roof is not as relaxing and mind-calming, as it should be, then the rain gutters must be having a serious problem. It can cause substantial damage to the roof and basement of your house if left unattended – in addition to the noise.
Here are some of the most common reasons for noisy gutters:
Poor Installation
Gutters are for channeling rainwater in the proper direction, but they will work flawlessly if installed correctly. Errors made during their installation can result in such noise and many other problems. Among the most common installation mistakes are:
Incorrect Gutter Size
Your gutter’s width will determine its overall size. In stormy weather, small gutters uneven to your roof’s size can lead to an inefficient drainage system causing an excess pour out from the gutters.
Incorrect Gutter Angle
You need to install the gutters at a specific angle to collect all the water flowing down your roof. Thus, unless you install them at the exact angle they are designed, the gutters could be too steep or not steep enough to direct water away. These mistakes will likely result in water dripping directly from your gutters.
Incorrect Spacing of Hangers
Even after pitching the gutters at the right angle, uneven spacing of the hangers holding the gutters in place can cause water to pool in the gutter. Unless you monitor the problem immediately, the gutters can be detached from their hooks, resulting in water spewing onto the pavement.
Clogging
During the fall and winter, leaves, twigs, and dust particles get stuck in the gutter, blocking water flow. As such, if left unattended, it can prevent water from draining from the gutter system, causing an overflow that causes the water to spill.
How Do You Fix Noisy Rain Gutters?
The cause of noise coming from guttering requires technical expertise from persons who have extensive experience in this field. But, here’s what you can do yourself before getting a plumber’s help.
Tighten Loose Fasteners and Straps
Several straps and screws fasten the gutters on the wall right from the roof down to the downspouts. Due to weather changes, the metal parts of the straps and fasteners tend to deteriorate over time, breaking or becoming unscrewed due to a variety of factors. In this case, tighten or replace any loose screws.
Readjust the Angle of the Gutters
The slight tilt of gutters ensures that water will easily flow through them to downspouts, where it will flow away. If for any reason, the gutters are no longer in their original pitch, the water flow down them will be highly affected, and it may result in pools of water in specific areas.
The gutters may drip from time to time if you fail to position them at the correct angle right away. It may appear tricky, but you can tell the angle from the angle at which the roofs are inclined.
Insulating Downspout Elbows
In most cases, gutter noise results from water hitting the bottom of the downspout elbow before flowing out. You will need to insert foam materials into the downspout to reducing the sounds made by the dripping water.
The downspout elbow is replaceable with PVC elbows, which will eliminate the echoing sounds made by metal elbows. In case you do not have access to PVC pipes, you may insert a sponge in the elbow corners of the downspouts to temporarily control the issue.
Regular Maintenance of the Gutters
A common reason for gutters to drip may be due to a lack of regular gutter cleaning. Therefore, the dirt piled in them may affect water flow in them, causing the water to pool at one point and drip down once it overflows and lacks a straight outlet.
As dirt piles up, corrosion slowly eats away at the metallic surfaces of the gutters, leaving behind holes that leak water.
Adjust the Gutter Hangers
The gutter hangers secure the gutters in place, enabling a smooth flow of water and preventing gutter sagging. Consequently, the basic spacing between gutter hangers should not exceed 2 feet for areas with average rainfall. However, in cold climates prone to icing, the distance between the gutters must be less than 2 feet.
Despite the weight of ice piling up and adding weight to the gutters, the spacing of fewer than 2 feet keeps the fasteners and straps from losing.
How Often Should Gutters Be Replaced?
Gutters typically last for about 20 years, depending on the materials used in their construction. Nevertheless, you can extend their stay depending on your regular maintenance schedule.
If however, you have tried the above methods but the noise persists, replacing the gutters maybe your best option. To prevent future problems, it is necessary to have skilled people perform this task. They will address the pitch angles of the gutters, the spacing of gutter hangers, and fastening the gutters in place.
In addition to the pitch of the roof, the area’s average rainfall, and the size of the roof, professional plumbers can also address other factors that contribute to noisy rain gutters and other related problems.