What could be causing water to drip down the house siding from the garage gutter, and should I just seal the end cap or is there a bigger issue with the rotten wood?
Asked by Kuzey Adan 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 29, 2024
So, I noticed some water dripping down the house siding from the garage gutter and when I took a closer look, I found a rotten piece of wood that I removed. Any thoughts on why the water is dripping? Do you think sealing the end cap could fix the issue? Also, I’m wondering if that rotted wood was there for installation purposes or if I should prepare for some trouble ahead.
Start by cleaning and applying silicone caulk to the end cap of the gutter.
I really appreciate it, I’ll definitely try that out. This is the basement area where the water seems to be going, and you can tell where it stops by looking at the drylock coloring. It’s right under where the drip is coming from. Do you think it’s a good idea to have someone check for any structural damage behind the gutter, even if the dripping stops? I have no way to access it from inside since it has a high ceiling with only a small hatch, so it’s a bit beyond my DIY skills.
Do you have a kick-out flashing? I suggest getting one installed. When I bought a house, the siding was partially rotted because it was poorly flashed and the gutters were in bad shape. I repaired the siding and installed something to divert water away from the house.
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There may be a problem with the flashing not redirecting water effectively. This causes water to flow from the wall directly into the gutter.
Make sure to reseal the area where the gutter connects to the house and anywhere else water is leaking from the gutter. I had a similar issue with my own house.
Consider building a cricket or channel of some sort to prevent water from flowing down the gable where the garage roof meets.
All of these suggestions sound like good ideas. I’ve cleaned everything up and am now waiting for it to completely dry before applying silicone. I am also considering creating a diverter, as mentioned earlier. Thank you to everyone who provided advice. Does anyone with experience in this area think I should be concerned about potential structural rot on the interior, given that the siding is made of aluminum?
Caulking that is specifically designed for gutters does exist, but the joints may still end up leaking. Having a piece of kick-out diverter flashing installed in the bottom row of the roofing can also help by redirecting water away from the siding, which is a common practice in high-quality new construction.
I really appreciate this
Ditillo exactly what Erik mentioned
Having flashing at the roof/wall junction and keeping gutters clear is important to prevent further issues.
This is a common problem that can occur.
Ensure that the shingles and drip edge are directing water only into the gutter.
You should consider adding a kickout flashing at the top of the gutter to direct water into the gutter, not behind it.
Usually the roofer puts in a ‘kick out’ flashing at the bottom right corner to guide water towards the gutter and avoid this issue. (as Gary mentioned) 🙂