Why Does Water Leak From Soffits Behind Gutters

And it doesn t stop there.

Why does water leak from soffits behind gutters.

1 drip edge is caught behind the gutter. When the roof shingles do not extend past the metal drip edge the water will suck back on the metal drip edge this is called capillary action and run behind your gutters. If the gutter is clogged some of that water will back up on the roof soaking it. This can be frustrating and also creates a dangerous situation on porch steps during freez.

It seems to me that the problem is in the rain gutter which does not appear to have any slope to it. Before you go and spend your hard earned money on new replacement gutters make sure that it is in fact the gu. You ll still have to clean the gutters and the mesh will make the job harder. Once gutters are clean use your garden hose to fill them up with water and watch for leaks.

Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your roof and into the ground. The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters. For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof. Some of the water may leak behind the gutters down towards the soffit and the fascia.

However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house. The water freezes again and then thaws out leaking through any seams or damage in the soffit because it cannot flow down the rain gutters. Because water does not flow down the gutters properly during the winter snow that begins to melt off the roof can freeze again and end up pushed against the soffit because the rain gutters are full. Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface.

2 inadequate shingle overhang 3 improper offset of the starter strip creating a seam that allows the water to travel behind the drip edge and fascia onto the soffit. Have rain water dripping out from between your facia and gutters. A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck. Do you have water leaking behind your gutters.

If you don t relish the thought of regular gutter cleaning fit your gutters with gutter guards but beware of wide mesh guards that allow pine needles and smaller debris to pass through. Micro mesh gutter guards are the best on the market according to the ncr consumer advocacy group. Without a proper slope to the gutter water will just stack up in the gutter and run over the edge if it gets too full looking like there is a roof problem.