Gutter problems

[DustinDaRemodeler]

Just had a heavy rain and I went outside during the rain to observe the gutters.
On one side of the house the rain was falling over, and through it seemed, the end of the gutter run. Seems to be a couple problems - the sealant on the end cap is broken, and also probably during heavy flow the downspout hold is not big enough to handle a heavy load (maybe it's blocked but there are zero trees over this side of the roof so I doubt it).

But... at a higher level problem solving perspective, I think the downspout is in the wrong place to begin with. It's near the back of the house. I would think placing it near the front of the house, which is much closer to the curb, is a much better solution. Then have the downspout go in a drain to the curb. No?

There is no curb near back of house. There is a long back yard and then garage then alleyway.

So questions:
-Would a gutter/downspout specialist be able to close off the existing downspout hole and cut a new one into the existing gutter (to place at house front end)? or would they want to just trash the entire existing gutter/downspout and put up all new? (2 story house, kind of high to the gutter, maybe 23 feet).
-since the gutter already has issues, is it best to just replace it with new? (rather than trying to repair it).
-it's frustrating to me that I can't get up that high to inspect it closely. I mean I could if I bought a tall enough ladder. Should I do that? I know it's kind of risky. But there is a house very close beside so little risk of falling back; maybe risk of falling sideways.
-what about a rainbarrel? have the downspout empty into rainbarrel instead of underground drain? or both?

 

[Guttersmiths]

Hi Dustin, I am just seeing this message, so you've probably gotten it taken care of already. Usually, if the gutters are overflowing how you've described, there's something blocking the downspout outlet. Debris from trees can migrate from the other side of the house, and it only takes a leaf or three to create an obstruction.

You may be able to find someone to check for clogs. If you want to relocate the downspout, I'd hire a reputable company to hang a new gutter. That way, you can ensure it's pitched correctly, have them install a minimum 3"x4" downspout outlet (or go up 4x5 or use a "big mouth" funnel shaped outlet depending on the roof size and pitch of roof), and you may want to go with a larger 6" gutter assuming you have standard sized 5" gutters. Repairing an old gutter is oftentimes as time-consuming as installing a new gutter, so I shy away from repairs.

Rain barrels are great if you have some plants to water, but they aren't a great management solution. Depending on your roof, they fill up quickly, and after they're full the water is directed down the downspout past the barrel using a diverter kit. The diverter kits I've seen and used (maybe 200 barrels installed as a volunteer and through Guttersmiths) create a bit of a bottle neck, so keep that in mind if you're draining a lot of water. I think drain tiles are a great solution for routing under paths, sidewalks, driveways, etc., and I highly recommend that you or whoever you hire for the drain tile work (oftentimes a landscaping company) use PVC pipe and not the black corrugated plastic stuff.

Feel free to follow up here or via the contact form at Guttersmiths - Custom Gutters, Copper Gutters, Half Rounds

Cheers,
John

 

[nobes]

Just had a heavy rain and I went outside during the rain to observe the gutters.
On one side of the house the rain was falling over, and through it seemed, the end of the gutter run. Seems to be a couple problems - the sealant on the end cap is broken, and also probably during heavy flow the downspout hold is not big enough to handle a heavy load (maybe it's blocked but there are zero trees over this side of the roof so I doubt it).

But... at a higher level problem solving perspective, I think the downspout is in the wrong place to begin with. It's near the back of the house. I would think placing it near the front of the house, which is much closer to the curb, is a much better solution. Then have the downspout go in a drain to the curb. No?

There is no curb near back of house. There is a long back yard and then garage then alleyway.

So questions:
-Would a gutter/downspout specialist be able to close off the existing downspout hole and cut a new one into the existing gutter (to place at house front end)? or would they want to just trash the entire existing gutter/downspout and put up all new? (2 story house, kind of high to the gutter installation from iReno Eavestrough, maybe 23 feet).
-since the gutter already has issues, is it best to just replace it with new? (rather than trying to repair it).
-it's frustrating to me that I can't get up that high to inspect it closely. I mean I could if I bought a tall enough ladder. Should I do that? I know it's kind of risky. But there is a house very close beside so little risk of falling back; maybe risk of falling sideways.
-what about a rainbarrel? have the downspout empty into rainbarrel instead of underground drain? or both?

Has anyone recently had Gutter protection installed? Have finally reached the point where I am no longer wanting to climb an extension ladder to clean my gutters. Trying to decide whether to “hire out” or install myself. Reviews seem to be all over the board and the many options make it very confusing. Looking for any experiences or comments, good or bad.