Reasons Gutters Are Clogged Again and How to Fix Them

Possible Reasons Your Gutters Are Clogged — AGAIN

Let me guess.

You were just up on the ladder a few weeks ago. Or maybe you paid someone to clean them out. Either way—your gutters are clogged again, and you’re over it.

We get it. It’s annoying, it’s messy, and it feels like no matter what you do, your gutters and downspouts are always backing up. You might be wondering:

Did I miss something?
Is there a bigger issue?
Can clogged gutters cause leaks or water damage?
Is it even worth fixing again?

If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place. We’re Gutters Premier, and we’ve been helping homeowners across Salt Lake City deal with this exact problem for 15+ years. Let’s talk through what’s really causing these repeat clogs—and what you can do to finally stop them.

Gutter packed with leaves and water pooling, showing a clogged downspout in Salt Lake City, Utah

Why Your Gutters Keep Clogging

Here are some of the most common reasons your clogged rain gutters keep coming back, and how to fix the problem permanently.

Leaves, Pine Needles & Debris Keep Falling In

This is the obvious one, but worth repeating: If your home is anywhere near trees, especially in Davis or Weber County, you’re going to deal with gutter clogs from leaves, twigs, seed pods, and roof shingle grit.

Even after you clean them out, new debris can build up fast. Sometimes, all it takes is one windy afternoon for your gutters to go from “clear” to “overflowing.” You might notice your gutters clog shortly after cleaning. It’s not your imagination—it’s a common issue. When this stuff builds up, it traps water, causes overflow, and leads to clogged gutters and downspouts in no time.

Your Gutters Aren’t Sloped Right

Gutters are supposed to have a slight angle—called a “pitch”—that lets water drain toward the downspouts. If your gutters are too flat, water just sits there.

That standing water traps debris, adds weight, and slows everything down – causing clogged gutters and downspouts over and over.

How can you tell? Look for water pooling in certain spots or overflowing at random points, even if the gutters aren’t full.

Your Gutters Are Too Small

Sometimes the issue isn’t what’s in your gutters—it’s the gutters themselves.

If your home has narrow or undersized gutters, especially older ones, they may not be able to handle the volume of rain we get during big storms. Add in some leaves or pine needles, and they clog almost instantly. That’s when water spills over the sides, pooling near your foundation. And yes, clogged gutters can cause water in the basement if left unchecked. We’ll help you with custom gutter solutions so your gutters fit your house and Utah’s weather.

You Don’t Have Gutter Guards

Let’s be honest: cleaning gutters is nobody’s favorite chore. Gutter guards help by keeping leaves and pests out in the first place. No, they’re not magic—but they drastically reduce how often you need to clean your gutters.

They’re especially helpful here in northern Utah, where cottonwood fluff, pine needles, and heavy leaves make gutter maintenance a constant task.

We get it, some homeowners think gutter guards are an upsell. But if you’re tired of pulling leaves out of your downspouts every few weeks, they’re a smart long-term investment.

You Skipped a Cleaning (And It Snowballed)

You’re busy. You meant to get to it. We’ve all been there.

But when you skip cleanings, debris hardens, nests form, and water starts rerouting itself into your fascia, under your roofline, or down into your basement.

Birds, Rodents, or Bugs Are Nesting Inside

It’s not just leaves causing trouble. Gutters are prime real estate for birds, squirrels, wasps, and even mice. One small nest can completely block a downspout. And if they build inside the elbows of your system? You’ll never see it coming until the water starts spilling over. Signs to watch for:

Water only overflows during heavy rain
Small bits of straw or feathers near your downspouts
Pests around your roofline

Your Downspouts Aren’t Placed Correctly

Even if your gutters are clear, water can still back up if the downspouts are too small, too short, or installed in the wrong spot. Water needs to move away from your home, not pool next to it.

Poor drainage leads to erosion, mold, and yes, leaks. If you’ve been wondering, can clogged gutters cause a leak? The answer is yes, especially when water has nowhere to go.

When It’s Time to Call a Gutter Pro

If you’re stuck in the clean-clog-repeat cycle, it might be time for a professional inspection. A local expert can tell you what’s causing your gutter problems and offer solutions that last, like better sloping, upgraded downspouts, or professionally installed gutter guards.

At Gutters Premier, we’ve been the go-to gutter team in Salt Lake City and surrounding counties for over 15 years. We’re family-owned, locally trusted, and proud to offer long-lasting solutions for everything from gutter clogs to full installations.

Don’t Wait for Water Damage to Get Worse

What happens if gutters are clogged? They don’t just spill water. They can damage your roof, cause leaks in your home, flood your basement, and destroy your landscaping. All from something as simple as a backup.

Let’s fix the root of the problem, not just clean up after it. Contact us today to get a quote.