My gutters overflow when it rains
Water pouring over the edge of the gutter in a downpour isn't just messy. It soaks the walls and foundations, splashes against windows, and in box gutters can overflow inside the roof and through the ceiling. Most overflowing gutters come down to a handful of causes, and many are fixed by clearing what's below them, not the gutter itself. Here's what to look for.
Why gutters overflow
Blocked gutters
Leaves, sticks and sand build up in the gutter and stop water reaching the downpipes.
Blocked downpipes
Even with a clean gutter, a downpipe blocked with leaves or a nest backs water up. See blocked downpipes.
Blocked stormwater below
If the underground pipe the downpipe connects to is blocked, water backs up the downpipe and over the gutter.
Not enough downpipes
A long gutter with one downpipe, or a large roof area draining to one spot, can't keep up in heavy rain.
Wrong fall
Gutters need a slight fall towards the downpipe. Sagging gutters hold water and overflow at the low point.
Box gutters
Box gutters inside the roof line need properly sized outlets and overflows. When they block, water can come into the house.
Quick checks
- During rain, see whether water overflows along the whole gutter or at one spot near a downpipe.
- Look at the bottom of the downpipe. Little or no water coming out in heavy rain means a blockage.
- If water bubbles out of a stormwater pit or the downpipe joint at ground level, the pipe underground is blocked.
- Don't climb onto the roof in wet weather. Leave gutter work to someone with the right safety gear.
How we fix it
We clear blocked downpipes and jet the stormwater lines they drain into, then check the pipes with a camera if needed. Where the roof simply sends too much water to one point, we can add downpipes or larger outlets and connect them to the stormwater system properly. For box gutters, we check the outlets and overflow provisions. You get clear options and a fixed price before any work starts.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Big street trees in Matraville and Kingsford, and sand blown off the beach in Maroubra and Malabar, fill gutters and downpipes fast. Older homes often have just one or two downpipes for the whole roof, and clay stormwater pipes below that roots have blocked. Before storm season is the best time to check. See our storm season guide.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Why do my gutters overflow even though they're clean?
The downpipe or the stormwater pipe below it is probably blocked, or there aren't enough downpipes for the roof area.
Can a blocked stormwater pipe make my gutters overflow?
Yes. Water backs up the downpipe into the gutter and spills over the edge.
How many downpipes should my gutters have?
It depends on the roof area and gutter size. Long gutters and large roofs often need more downpipes than older homes have.
Is an overflowing box gutter serious?
It can be. Box gutters sit inside the roof line, so an overflow can bring water into the ceiling. Get it checked.
Related help: blocked downpipes, stormwater, backyard flooding, ceiling leaks and rainwater tanks. Local pages: Matraville, Kingsford, Maroubra and Malabar.