Why Water Gets Behind Gutter

Have rain water dripping out from between your facia and gutters.

Why water gets behind gutter.

If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters. A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck. The other element is if the gutter is not installed behind the drip edge it creates an air gap between the top of the gutter and the bottom of the drip edge which allows a place for the water to go.

And it doesn t stop there. Home centers sell a gutter apron in 10 ft. When siding is put back behind the gutter the lowest piece of flashing running down the pitch of the roof above must be fashioned to divert water into the gutter not behind the siding. The gutter apron will prevent the dripping.

Being a manufacturer of roof edgings and an installer of gutters i know first hand it s not always possible to get the gutter behind the drip. For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof. This can be frustrating and also creates a dangerous situation on porch steps during freez. When the latter happens it can seep in between the back of the gutter and the roof or soffit and fascia.

Some of the water may leak behind the gutters down towards the soffit and the fascia. Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your roof and into the ground. So instead of moving the water away from your home the gutter is actually contributing to water damage occurring to your roof. A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter.

Water gets behind the gutter. If the gutter is clogged some of that water will back up on the roof soaking it. 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.