How Gutter Cover Kansas City® Resolved a Family’s Rainwater Woes

In 2017, the Thomson family purchased their dream home—a custom-built beauty on a picturesque 6-acre lot in Greenwood, Missouri. They envisioned a lifetime of family gatherings and cherished memories. However, their excitement turned to frustration as unexpected challenges began to surface.

Shortly after moving in, the family noticed their gutters overflowing during heavy rains. Determined to protect their new home, they diligently cleaned the gutters every spring and fall. But then, a more alarming problem emerged—water was leaking through their basement windows.

“We just bought this house, and it’s already giving us problems?!” they thought, worried about long-term damage. The basement, where they loved to spend family time, no longer felt like a safe and inviting space.

A Growing Water Problem

The challenges didn’t stop there. When the family decided to replace their deck, the contractor pointed out significant ground erosion beneath it, caused by water runoff. Hoping to redirect rainwater away from their home, the Thomson’s invested in a retaining wall. But even with the new wall and their routine gutter cleanings, the problems persisted. Water in the basement continued to cause stress and frustration.

Their turning point came when neighbors recommended Gutter Cover Kansas City®.

A Rain Water Solution in Sight

After reaching out, the Thomsons met with Doug Stacye, a gutter expert from Gutter Cover Kansas City®. During his inspection, Doug quickly identified the root cause of their issues. The telltale signs—stained gutters and roof, ground erosion, cracked cement, and rotten soffit and fascia—all pointed to one clear culprit: malfunctioning gutters.

Doug explained that the home’s gutters were too small for the roof’s size and pitch. Additionally, there weren’t enough downspouts, and the existing ones were too small to handle heavy rainfall. Before leaving, Doug provided the Thomson’s with a personalized plan to resolve their water woes for good.

Think of your gutters as the highways for rainwater. If the lanes are too narrow or poorly designed, traffic jams—and overflows—are inevitable.

A Happy Ending

Gutter Cover Kansas City®’s team got to work. They upgraded the gutters from 4-inch to 6-inch, installed larger downspouts, added more where needed, and redirected them strategically. They also repaired the home’s wood rot on soffit and fascia boards.

The results were transformational. For the first time since purchasing their home, the Thomsons’ gutters no longer overflowed, and their basement stayed dry, even during heavy rainstorms.

“We used to get anxious every time it rained, but now we don’t have to worry about it!” they shared. Thrilled with the outcome, the family has already recommended Gutter Cover Kansas City® to friends and family, praising the team as “friendly, professional, timely, communicative, and thorough.”

Thanks to Gutter Cover Kansas City®, the Thomson family can now fully enjoy their dream home—stress-free from water damage caused by gutters.

Two Lessons We Can Learn

While we wish the Thomson family hadn’t faced these water challenges, their story highlights two crucial points:

1. Overflowing Gutters Can Lead to Basement Leaking Issues 

When water leaks into the basement, it’s easy to assume foundation problems are to blame. But consider this: just one inch of rain generates around 1,246 gallons of water on an average-sized home. If your gutters are overflowing, all that water cascades off the roof, pooling next to your foundation. Over time, this excess water erodes the soil supporting your foundation and increases pressure on the foundation walls. It’s easy to see how some of that water could end up inside your basement, especially if the ground around your home slopes toward your foundation instead of away from it.

2. Clean Gutters Aren’t Always Enough to Stop Gutter Overflow 

If your gutters are overflowing, your first instinct might be to grab a ladder and clean them out. However, gutter overflow can occur even when your gutters are 100% free of debris due to these common reasons:

• Improper Gutter Slope: Gutters should have a slight downward slope toward the downspouts to ensure efficient water flow. If they are leveled too much, too little, or sloped in the wrong direction, rainwater will spill over the sides instead of flowing properly into the downspouts.
• Insufficient Gutter Capacity: During heavy rainfall, roofs shed immense volumes of water. If your gutters or downspouts are too small to handle the flow, the excess water will overflow regardless of how clean they are.

Dealing With Rainwater Issues?

Overflowing gutters are more than just an inconvenience—they’re a serious problem that can lead to a host of costly and potentially hazardous issues for your home. From water pooling around your foundation to damage to your siding, roof, or landscaping, poorly functioning gutters can quickly create a domino effect of problems. Left unchecked, these issues can compromise the structural integrity of your home and result in expensive repairs.

The good news? Addressing rainwater issues is easier than you might think when you have the right experts on your side.

Ready to Protect Your Home?

Since 2001, Gutter Cover Kansas City® has been the trusted solution for Kansas City homeowners. Their experienced team performs a meticulous 21-point inspection of your guttering system, identifying problem areas and offering tailored solutions to ensure your home stays protected.

Don’t wait for rainwater issues to escalate—schedule a free gutter inspection with Gutter Cover Kansas City® today. With their expert care, you can rest assured that your home will be safeguarded from the damaging effects of overflowing gutters for years to come!

For more information on the importance of gutters see some of Gutter Cover KC’s articles below:

6-Inch Gutters vs. 5-Inch Gutters For Your Home

5 Reasons Why Your Gutters Are Overflowing & What It’s Doing to Your Home

How to Keep Water Out of Your Basement

The Importance of Properly Functioning Downspouts

Wondering what is the best gutter guard on the market?

With so many options, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. From mesh screens to solid covers, each has pros and cons.In this guide (link above), we’ll break down the top gutter guards for Kansas City homes, considering durability, maintenance, and performance in local weather. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to clogged gutters, we’ll help you find the best fit for your home!