With Leaves Coming Down, Watch How Water Moves Around Your Home

After a very dry October, it’s easy to forget about rain. But with precipitation in the forecast and leaves coming down across Connecticut, now is a good time to see how water moves around your house. A lawn full of leaves is hard to miss, but a clogged gutter or a blocked downspout can go unnoticed until the weather turns wet and the water has nowhere to go.

You don’t need a ladder to learn something useful. A covered porch, a doorway, or a safe spot on the ground will give you a good view of your gutters while it rains, and you can learn a lot in ten or fifteen minutes.

Start with the gutters. In an ordinary rain, water should flow along them toward the downspouts without spilling over the edge. If you see a waterfall above the front door or water pouring off one corner, something needs a closer look.

Leaves and debris are one possible cause, but they aren’t the only one. A gutter may have pulled away from the house, developed a leaky joint, or lost the slight slope that keeps water moving, and clearing out a blockage won’t fix a gutter that no longer drains properly.

Also notice whether water runs behind the gutter instead of into it. That can point to a problem where the roof edge and gutter meet, and repeated wetting can damage the wood along the roofline. It’s worth having the cause checked before a stain or soft spot makes it obvious.

Roof valleys, where two slopes come together and send runoff toward the gutters, can also collect leaves and twigs. You can look for buildup from the ground, but leave the close inspection and cleanup to someone equipped to work safely on a roof.

Next, follow the downspouts. Is water coming out where you expect it? A gutter can look clear while a clog farther down keeps the system from draining, so watch for water backing up or escaping at a connection.

At ground level, make sure the bottom of the downspout isn’t buried under leaves and that any extension is still connected and carrying water away from the foundation. An extension knocked loose during mowing or yard cleanup can leave roof runoff emptying right beside the house.

That brings us to the yard. Does water move away from the house, or does it collect against it? A puddle that keeps forming along the foundation is a warning sign, and so is runoff that crosses a walkway or pools at the bottom of basement steps.

Clear leaves from accessible drain covers and basement stairwells before they pack into a wet mat, and keep window wells free of debris, too. These small, easily overlooked spots can become collection points for water.

After the rain, check inside. A new ceiling stain, a damp basement corner, or a musty smell is worth investigating. Take a photo and note when it appeared, since water can travel before it becomes visible indoors and the spot you see may not be directly beneath the source.

There’s no need to head outside during thunder, strong wind, or heavy rain. Watch what you can from a safe spot, and call a pro if water is running behind the gutter, a section is sagging, or you see stains inside. Anything that requires climbing or getting onto the roof should be left to someone equipped to do it safely.

One fall cleanup may not finish the job while the trees are still dropping leaves, so check again as the season moves along. Clogged gutters that freeze can lead to ice dams, frozen downspouts, and water freezing against the foundation. A little attention on the next rainy day can help you catch a drainage problem before winter makes it harder to fix.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.