How Gutters Cause Dry Rot
Almost every rotted fascia we replace in Sacramento County sits behind a gutter that was holding water. Fix the wood without fixing the gutter and you have bought yourself a repeat visit.
The four gutter failures that rot wood
- Debris blockage — heavy tree cover in Carmichael, Fair Oaks and older Sacramento neighbourhoods
- Wrong pitch, so water stands in the run instead of draining
- Undersized downspouts that back up in a real winter storm
- Downspouts discharging onto a lower roof instead of away from the house
The Sacramento timing problem
Rain arrives here between November and March, in concentrated bursts after months of dry leaves collecting. A gutter that coped in October is full by December, and the water goes over the back edge — straight onto the fascia.
Clearing gutters before the first storm is the cheapest rot prevention available.
Common questions
How often should Sacramento gutters be cleared?
At least once before the rainy season starts, and again mid-winter if you have heavy tree cover. Homes under mature oaks or with pines nearby often need more.
Will gutter guards stop dry rot?
They reduce blockage but do not eliminate it, and they do nothing about pitch or undersized downspouts. They help; they are not a substitute for checking the run.