Common Causes of Blocked Gutters and Downspouts
Overhead debris routinely accumulates in roof troughs and downspouts over time. When organic debris builds up, it obstructs the steady movement of rainwater across the roofline. Typical blockages stem from several conditional sources:
- Deciduous leaves, needles, and broken twigs dropping directly from overhanging limbs.
- Wind-blown seed pods, pollen tassels, and decomposing organic matter forming dense sludge.
- Granules shed from aging asphalt roofing shingles settling along low-slope trough bottoms.
- Birds, squirrels, or rodents attempting to nest in sheltered channel corners or downspout openings.