Standing water in the gutter after rain

Standing water means the gutter is out of pitch or the outlet is blocked. It breeds mosquitoes and adds weight the hangers were not sized for. You can handle this one yourself.

Quick answerA gutter should be empty within a short time after the rain stops. If water sits in it, either the run has lost its slope toward the downspout or the outlet is partly blocked. Flush the downspout first. If water still sits, re-hang that section so it falls toward the outlet. You can handle this one yourself. No call needed.

A little water in the low corner is not a crisis. A run that holds water for days is. The extra weight works hangers loose, and standing water breeds mosquitoes and rusts steel gutters from the inside.

1Why water sits in a gutter

Blocked outlet. Debris packs into the hole where the gutter meets the downspout. Water drains slowly or not at all.
Lost pitch. Hangers loosen or the fascia moves, and part of the run flattens or tips the wrong way.
Sag between hangers. Too few hangers let the gutter bow under weight. The low point holds water.
Grit build-up. Shingle granules settle into a layer that traps water even after the leaves are gone.

2How to check it

Find where it sitsAfter rain, look at the run from a safe ladder. Note whether water sits along the whole length or in one low spot.
Test the outletPour a bucket or run a hose at the far end. Watch whether it flows to the downspout and out the bottom.
Sight the slopeFrom the end of the run, look along the top edge. It should fall steadily toward the outlet, with no dips.
Check the hangersLoose or bent hangers near the puddle usually explain it.

3Fixing it

Do it yourself

Flush the downspout from the top with a hose
Scoop out grit and leaves near the outlet
Re-hang a sagging section so it falls toward the outlet
Add hangers where the run bows

Hire a pro

The fascia behind the low spot is soft
The whole run needs re-pitching on a second storey
The gutter is bent or rusted through

A gutter should fall slightly toward each outlet. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance for slope and hanger spacing. On a long run, an extra downspout can fix the slope problem without lowering the far end too far.

Ladder safety

Don’t lean a ladder on the gutter, and don’t work at the roof edge alone. If the eave is above single-storey, read cleaning from a ladder alone first.

4What drives the cost

Clearing an outlet is free except for your time. Re-pitching costs more as the run gets longer and higher. The price jumps if the fascia behind it has rotted, because the wood has to be replaced before the gutter can hold.

Gutters cost

5Questions

Is a little standing water normal?

A thin film in a corner right after rain is common. Water that sits for days, or a puddle deep enough to hold leaves, means the pitch or outlet needs attention.

Can standing water damage the gutter?

Yes. It adds weight that loosens hangers and it rusts steel gutters. In winter it freezes and adds more load.

Will a gutter guard fix it?

No. A guard doesn’t change the slope. Fix the pitch or outlet first.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.