# Gutters overflowing when it rains: what to do

Updated: 2026-10-24 · https://pros411.com/en/guides/roofers/gutters-overflowing

## Short answer

If your gutters overflow when it rains, watch from the ground where the water spills. Spilling all along the gutter usually means leaves are blocking it; spilling near the corner means the downspout is clogged. On a dry day, scoop out the leaves from a ladder with someone holding it, then run a hose to test the flow. On a two-story home, hire a pro.

> Safety first: Use a ladder only on a dry day, on firm, level ground, with someone holding the bottom. Never stand on the roof or the top rungs, and keep the ladder away from power lines. On a two-story home, leave it to a pro.

## How to stop gutters from overflowing

![Cartoon house in the rain with leaves clogging the gutter and water pouring over the edge](https://pros411.com/img/guias/gutters-overflowing.webp)

1. **Rain pours over the top of the gutter.** Water spills down the wall and pools at the foundation, where it can get into the basement or the crawl space.
2. **Watch where it spills, from the ground.** Spilling along the whole gutter: leaves are blocking it. Spilling only near the corner: the downspout is clogged.
3. **On a dry day, scoop out the leaves.** Ladder on firm ground with someone holding it. Scoop the leaves into a bucket. Never lean out or step onto the roof.
4. **Flush it with a hose.** Run water from the far end. It should flow to the downspout and out the bottom. If it backs up, the downspout is clogged.
5. **Water flows away from the house.** Clean the gutters twice a year, more under trees. Two-story home or sloped ground? Have a pro do it.

## Other reasons gutters overflow

- The gutter sags or slopes the wrong way, so water pools in the middle instead of running to the downspout.
- Too few downspouts for a big roof, so heavy rain overflows even a clean gutter.
- A roof valley dumps a lot of water on one short stretch of gutter.
- Gutter guards clogged on top with seeds or pine needles.

## What not to do

- Do not clean gutters during or right after rain: wet rungs and wet leaves are slippery.
- Do not step onto the roof to reach the gutter, or lean the ladder on a gutter that bends.
- Do not use a pressure washer from the ladder: the kick can push you off.
- Do not ignore it: overflowing water can rot the board behind the gutter (the fascia), stain the siding and flood the foundation.

## When to call a roofer

- The house is two stories, or the ground under the gutters is sloped or soft.
- The gutter sags, pulls away from the house or leaks at the seams.
- It still overflows when the gutter and the downspout are clean.
- Water is getting into the basement or the crawl space.
- The board behind the gutter (fascia) looks soft or rotten.

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## Frequently asked questions

### Why are my gutters overflowing when they are not clogged?

The gutter may slope the wrong way, the downspout may be clogged further down, or there may be too few downspouts for the roof. A roofer or a gutter pro can check the slope and the size.

### How often should gutters be cleaned?

Twice a year, usually in late spring and late fall. Under big trees or pines, more often.

### Is it safe to clean gutters myself?

On a one-story home it can be, with a sturdy ladder on a dry day and someone holding it. On a two-story home, ladder falls are a real risk, so hire a pro.

### Do gutter guards stop overflowing?

They keep the leaves out, but they still need cleaning on top, and some overflow in very heavy rain. They help most under trees.

### Can overflowing gutters damage my foundation?

Yes. Water that pours off the roof edge soaks the soil next to the house and, over time, can crack the foundation or flood a basement.

### Can overflowing gutters cause a roof leak?

They can. Water that backs up can soak the roof edge and the fascia board, and in winter it can freeze into ice dams.