Oregon storms can leave a mess. From heavy rainfall to flying pine needles, your gutters absorb the brunt of it. If they’re damaged, clogged, or misaligned, that water isn’t just disappearing. It’s backing up, spilling over, and slowly eating away at the parts of your home you can’t afford to ignore.
A solid gutter inspection after every storm helps catch the early signs of trouble before they become real problems. Whether you’re scanning from the ground or getting a closer look, this checklist walks you through what to watch for and when to bring in the pros.
Pre-Inspection Prep
Before climbing a ladder or clearing debris, make sure conditions are safe.
Storms leave surfaces wet and slick, and accidents happen fast. According to the American Ladder Institute’s 2024 report, fewer than a quarter of surveyed organizations reported any ladder-related incidents in the last two years, and serious injuries or fatalities dropped by 21% compared to 2020. Still, the most common cause of these accidents was simple setup mistakes, like using the wrong type of ladder or placing it at the wrong angle.
To avoid becoming a statistic, start with the basics:
- Wait for dry, clear weather. Slippery roofs and unstable ladders aren’t worth the risk.
- Use binoculars or a zoom lens on your phone for a preliminary look from the ground.
- Don’t climb unless you’re confident in your footing, ladder stability, and physical condition.
If anything feels off, stop. A trained gutter cleaning service near you can handle the job safely and spot issues you might miss.
Your Ground-Level Gutter Inspection (The First Look)
You don’t need to leave the ground to find signs of post-storm damage. Just a few minutes of walking around your house can reveal a lot.
Look for Water Overflow
Check your siding for dirty streaks, mildew, or algae. These lines show where water spilled out instead of flowing through the gutters, usually due to clogs or a poor slope.
Check for Debris
Leaves, needles, and twigs often pile up in gutters after a storm. If you can see debris sticking out or hanging over the edge, chances are your system is blocked and water isn’t draining properly.
Inspect the Downspouts
Look closely at how each downspout is connected. Oregon’s wind and rain can easily pull them loose or bend them. If water is discharging right next to your house, that’s a red flag.
ENERGY STAR and building science resources recommend grading the ground to slope at least 0.5 inches per foot for 10 feet away from the foundation or using swales and drains if space is limited.
Look at the Ground
Erosion, puddles, or washed-out mulch near your home’s perimeter means something upstream isn’t working. These signs often trace back to broken or overflowing gutters.
Your Close-Up Gutter Inspection (When Safe)
If everything looks stable and you’re confident on a ladder, take a closer look. These issues are harder to see from the ground, but can lead to major repairs if ignored.
Check for Sagging
Your gutters should slope about ¼ inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. If they’re holding water or sagging in the middle, that means the pitch is off, and it needs to be corrected. Otherwise, that weight will eventually pull them away from your house.
Look for Leaks & Drips
Run a gentle hose test along the gutter line. Watch for drips around joints, end caps, or seams. These are early signs that you need gutter leak repair. Even small leaks can lead to soaked fascia and mold behind the walls.
Inspect Hangers & Spikes
Hangers and spikes keep your gutter firmly attached to the fascia. They should be installed no more than every three feet. If you notice screws pulling out or hangers rusting, the entire system is at risk of pulling away in the next storm.
Examine the Fascia
The fascia board, the surface your gutters attach to, should be solid and painted. If it looks stained, soft, or spongy, moisture has already gotten in. This means it may be time for full gutter and fascia replacement to stop rot from spreading.
When to Call a Professional Immediately
If parts of your gutter are falling, leaking again after cleaning, or showing signs of rust or rot, don’t wait. Some damage can’t be patched with a sealant or screwdriver. It’s safer and often cheaper long-term to bring in a trusted gutter repair near you to inspect and fix the problem correctly.
Trying to patch over these signs might buy a little time, but not much. In many cases, full rain gutter repair or section replacement is the safer and more cost-effective option. Nationwide data shows the average gutter replacement cost falls between $1,100 and $1,700, while small repairs can be under $500.
The Professional Advantage
Professional gutter cleaning services near you do more than clear out leaves. They bring experience, tools, and a trained eye to catch problems homeowners often overlook.
Here’s what they typically provide:
- Full-flush cleaning of clogs and downspouts.
- Slope correction and realignment of sagging sections.
- Fast, effective gutter repair of seams, joints, and leaks.
- Inspection of fasteners and fascia boards for hidden damage.
And beyond the service, there’s the bigger picture: The average water damage claim related to drainage issues in U.S. homes exceeds $15,000. That kind of damage begins with a slow leak, a clogged downspout, or a broken hanger. Professional service is a prevention plan.
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm
Oregon doesn’t have a short rainy season. In fact, from October through April, rain is more the rule than the exception. The Pacific Northwest has seen a rise in extreme “atmospheric river” events, which dump inches of rain in just hours. That means drainage systems need to be in top shape, or risk being overwhelmed.
A regular post-storm check is one of the simplest ways to avoid major home repairs. Your gutters are the first line of defense against water intrusion. If they’re clean, aligned, and sealed, they’ll quietly protect your roof, siding, and foundation.
But if something feels off or you’ve spotted signs you’re not equipped to handle, it’s time to act.
If you are not comfortable on a ladder or spot a red flag, let us at Gutter Empire take it from here. Call us at (971) 777-9899 to schedule your professional gutter inspection, cleaning, or repair today, or get a free estimate here.
Key Takeaways (with footnotes/citations)
- Ladder safety comes first. The American Ladder Institute’s 2024 survey found that serious ladder-related injuries dropped 21% since 2020, yet most incidents still stem from improper ladder setup or placement errors.【American Ladder Institute, 2024 Safety Survey†https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americanladderinstitute.org/resource/resmgr/2024_survey_report/069eocjune11vmatt02_2024alil.pdf】
- Ground-level inspection reveals early signs of damage. Overflowing gutters, debris piles, or bent downspouts indicate blockages or slope issues that could lead to foundation erosion.
- Proper drainage grading prevents costly foundation damage. ENERGY STAR and building science guides recommend a ½ inch per foot slope extending at least 10 feet from the foundation.【PNNL Building America Solution Center†https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/final-grade-slopes-away-foundation】
- Structural alignment matters. Gutters should slope ¼ inch every 10 feet toward downspouts. Sagging or standing water signals an improper pitch that can lead to detachment or leaks.【Home Depot Gutter Installation Guide†https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-and-replace-rain-gutters/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9019cce4fcd】
- Ignoring minor leaks adds up fast. The average U.S. home water damage claim exceeds $15,000, much of it tied to gutter and drainage failures.【This Old House – Water Damage Statistics†https://www.thisoldhouse.com/foundations/water-damage-statistics】
- Professional inspections save money and time. Gutter Empire’s services include slope correction, downspout flushing, and leak sealing — proactive care that prevents the high costs of structural water damage.
