4 Common Problems with Built-in Gutters

4 Common Problems with Built-in Gutters

by Jim Singleterry

Do you want to install or keep the built-in gutters in your home but wondering if they are worth it? Are you trying to prevent unexpected damage and costly repairs by learning about potential issues with your built-in gutters ahead of time? 

While built-in gutters offer a sleek way to hide your gutters and boost curb appeal, they can also very easily cause extensive damage to your roof. Before you decide to install or keep them, make sure that you consider the potential issues that can arise and avoid surprises down the road. 

At RoofSmart, we have repaired and converted over 100 built-in gutters. Through this experience, we have encountered all kinds of problems caused by built-in gutters. 

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• 4 common problems with built-in gutters 
• How to identify roof damage from built-in gutters
• How to avoid problems with built-in gutters

By the end, you’ll understand what can happen if you have any issues with your built-in gutters and how to check if your built-in gutters have damaged your home. 

What are the 4 common problems with built-in gutters?

Built-in gutters might seem like an innovative or aesthetically appealing option, but they can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Before making your final decision on installing built-in gutters, be sure to consider the potential issues that they can cause. 

1.) Pooling Water

Because built-in gutters take up a much larger surface area than standard gutters and are not angled toward the drains, they are the perfect recipe for collecting water. 

Standard gutters are angled to help water flow to the drains, but with built-in gutters the roof is not angled. So, it is very common for large amounts of water to pool up and just sit there in a built-in gutter. This is a problem because it can lead to issues with your roof (like leaks). 

Suppose your built-in gutter was made using torch down (which is common in older homes because that was the only material available). In that case, the standing water will cause it to deteriorate because torch down is not made to handle that.

2.) Build-up of Debris

Just like the water, debris from trees will collect in the built-in gutter or at the edge of the asphalt roof. This is a problem because wet leaves and pine needles will sit on the torch down or even on your shingles and cause them to deteriorate. 

With this style of gutter, you cannot simply access the gutter from the ground. You must climb up on the roof to clean out the gutter. 

3.) Leaks

Built-in gutters are very susceptible to leaks. The hole in the roof deck (known as a scupper) where the water is supposed to drain out can be difficult to seal properly, which can cause leaks. 

If your roofing contractor is not careful or is inexperienced with installing flat roof materials, they can easily mess up while installing the scupper. This is usually where flat roofs end up leaking, especially when there is standing water. 

Additionally, the standing water and debris collecting in the gutter deteriorate the torch down, which also leads to leaks. 

The high levels of standing water sitting on or near these leak points provide a never-ending supply of water to the leaks. 

4.) Extensive Rotting Wood inside the Roof

The worst possible problem that a built-in gutter can cause is damage to the inside of the roof. This can be hard to spot because the wood inside the roof is rotting, so you cannot see it. 

Internal leaks can lead to rotting wood, mold, and structural damage all over the roof. 

Unfortunately, interior leaks and rotting wood are very common with built-in gutters. All it takes is one leak, and then all of that water will seep through the roof deck into the interior, causing extensive and costly damage to your roof. 

How do I identify damage from my built-in gutters?

It can be difficult to find signs of leaks or other issues with your built-in gutters. However, sometimes there are signs of leaks that you can see from outside. 

When you start your search, check near the downspout. It’s difficult to seal downspout properly, so it’s where a lot of leaks appear. 

Look for these signs that water is leaking in that area:

• Water stains
• Drip marks
• Peeling paint
• Areas that are sagging or falling apart

If the boards are coming apart where they’re nailed together, this might be a sign of severe structural damage due to rotting wood. 

To figure out the true extent of the damage, you’d have to hire a roofing contractor to inspect the roof. Even then, they won’t really know how bad the rot is until they begin their repair and pull the roof apart. 

How can I avoid problems with my built-in gutters?

The best way to ensure that your built-in gutters function properly is to hire an experienced roofing contractor who knows how to install them. If you’re installing built-in gutters for the first time, make sure you find a roofing contractor who also does carpentry because this job requires more than just roofing skills. 

To help prevent water damage, make sure that your roofing contractor uses PVC instead of torch down because PVC can handle standing water and won’t leak. 

How do I know if built-in gutters are right for my home?

If you’re not sure that built-in gutters are right for you, then you can talk to a roofing contractor to see what they recommend based on your home and budget. But the final decision is up to you. 

Built-in gutters have a lot of problems, but with a competent, experienced contractor a lot of them can be avoided (or at least mitigated). Built-in gutter guards are the right choice for you if you like the way that they look and don’t want visible gutters on your home. 

If you already have built-in gutters and you’re not sure if you should keep them, consider your budget. If you want to save money, have the built-in gutter repaired. If you want to spend a little bit more, have them taken out and install standard gutter guards. 

Still not sure if built-in gutters are right for your home? To help you make your decision and learn more about how built-in gutters compare to standard gutters, read our article “Pros, Cons, and Costs of Built-in Gutters”.