Why are my new gutters leaking from behind?
Water overshoots the gap or leaks behind the gutter because of improper flashing, drip edge installation, or clogged foam guards, which prevents proper drainage off the roof. This runoff ultimately causes expensive water damage to the soffit that requires separate repairs.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 17.4× more often in r/Roofing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Pulling out the foam gutter insertsDid this help you?
- 2Cleaning out the accumulated silt and debris from the guttersDid this help you?
- 3Replacing the foam with open metal mesh guards or installing proper drip edgesDid this help you?
- 4slide a little aluminum under the shingle to extend itDid this help you?
- 5put a splash guard on the gutterDid this help you?
- 6paint, stain, or wrap the rake board to protect itDid this help you?
- 7Looking for a waterproof barrier to install on their own side of the roof to block the water flowDid this help you?
- 8Testing gutters with a garden hoseDid this help you?
- 9Inspecting gutter pitch, downspout capacity, and anglesDid this help you?
- 10Contacting the installation company to fix the physical gutter issueDid this help you?
- 11installing leaf screensDid this help you?
- 12cleaning gutters manually while on a ladderDid this help you?
- 13Getting gutters cleaned professionally or manually 2 to 4 times a yearDid this help you?
- 14Installing perforated aluminum guards to reduce cleaning frequencyDid this help you?
- 15Opening gutter guards twice a year to flush out fine dirt, seeds, and debrisDid this help you?
- 16Bend the low side bracket upDid this help you?
- 17Seal the jointDid this help you?
- 18Call the installer backDid this help you?
- 19Hiring someone to manually clean the gutters at a recurring costDid this help you?
- 20Searching for alternative drain covers or partial filters like round metal screensDid this help you?
- 21Checking the installation contract before calling the installer backDid this help you?
- 22trim the shingles to follow the roof lineDid this help you?
- 23Weekly cleaning of the guttersDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Seems pretty far out and gutters are leaking from behind.”source ↗
“It’s called leafdefier and was not cheap at all. 😭 We paid over $5k for gutters a few years ago and now having issues and the company who did them is not wanting to help.”source ↗
“First fall in our new home with lots of maple trees around. Wondering if people here routinely get their eaves n gutters cleaned? Someone suggested gutter guards but heard mixed reviews”source ↗
“The red circle should be the “high point” but doesn’t drain, leaving approximately 3” of water pooled after 20 minutes.”source ↗
“The green circle leaks at the joint but only in an extreme case when I’ve got the fountain hose directly on it.”source ↗
“Almost as if there is a “hump” in the middle.”source ↗
“Had mine installed few years ago, they stop the big leaves but small maple seeds still get in there and clog the downspout eventually.”source ↗
“I have gutter guards , they get opened at each end twice a year to flush any small stuff out.. This started from a friend who was complaining about his gutter not working in heavy rain.”source ↗
“Was. Past tense. Now known as a debris collector.”source ↗
“I've watched water during rainstorms regularly rush down the valleys of the roof and flow directly over the gutter splash guards, resulting in water pooling on the patio and rotted fascia boards.”source ↗
“I noticed these shingles at the bottom of the valleys which are significantly overhanging the gutters.”source ↗
“His also seems to be bowed in the middle and after repeated rain it not only looks like a swimming pool but then overflows onto my roof with the result that rain comes off so quick it's bypassing my gutter and running down my window.”source ↗
“Rather than get into a legal debate with him, is there anything I could put on my side of the roof which is waterproof and would prevent his water flowing onto my roof?”source ↗
“When it rains, the water does not fully flow off of the roof into the gutter, half of it falls into the gap of the gutter.”source ↗
“This is causing water damage to the soffit that I will also need to fix.”source ↗
“the cap is blocking your gutter flow and leaf screens could help unless your good with cleaning them yourself”source ↗
“I have gutters that are 20 and 30 feet up, so manual cleaning is not an option for me.”source ↗
“I have a guy who cleans them (at a cost each time), but I'm also looking for a solution to help prevent clogging and overflowing between cleanings.”source ↗
“Before I buy some, I'm wondering if anyone here has used them and if they're worth trying.”source ↗
“Had new gutters installed and there is about a 1/2” of water pooling on one of the runs, should I call the installer back to fix the pitch or is this acceptable?”source ↗
“Well, I have that my gutters are 30 years old. It won't get better so have them fix it - that's why you paid for new gutters, right?”source ↗
“This past week it rained a ton and I found water under the carpet in my basement. I pull up the carpet to find a saturated foam and rot under the wall.”source ↗
“The water just leaks right around the gutter protecting the side of the house. In the rain it’s basically a waterfall off that ledge.”source ↗
“I’m wondering if I can push them to help me with the basement repair. I’ve never been the type of guy to yell and scream, but this seems like it was installed wrong and I want them to take responsibility and cover the basement repair.”source ↗