Kansas City winters do quiet damage. By the time the first spring storm hits in April, problems that started in January have grown. Here's your March gutter checklist.
The 5-minute March gutter check
1. Look for sag
Stand 20 feet back from your house and look at each gutter run. The front edge should be straight and level. Any visible dip, sag, or pull-away from the fascia means a hanger has failed during freeze-thaw cycles.
Why it matters: A sagging gutter doesn't drain properly. Spring rain will pool and overflow at the low point.
2. Walk to each downspout outlet
Look at where each downspout dumps. Is the splash block in place? Is the extension intact? KC winter ice often cracks or dislodges extensions.
Quick test: Pour a bucket of water down the downspout from the top. Does it come out the bottom? If not, you have a frozen-and-thawed clog that needs clearing before April rains.
3. Check the fascia behind the gutter
Use binoculars from the ground or get on a ladder. Look at the wood fascia directly behind the gutter. Look for:
- Staining or watermark streaks
- Visibly soft or rotted wood
- Paint blistering or peeling
- Daylight visible between gutter and fascia
Any of these mean water got behind the gutter during winter and you have rot starting.
4. Look up at the gutter from below
On a sunny day, stand under each gutter run. Look up. Do you see daylight through pin-hole leaks? Are end caps still sealed? Any visible cracks or splits?
Pin-hole leaks from KC freeze-thaw expand into bigger problems by summer.
5. Inside the gutter (if you can safely look)
If you have ladder access and a partner, peek inside the gutter. Look for:
- Standing water (means pitch is off or downspout clogged)
- Tree debris pile (clean before maple seeds drop in late March)
- Rust spots (sign of steel gutter at end of life)
- Cracked or split sealant at miters
What to do if you find a problem
- Minor (loose end cap, small clog): DIY fix is fine
- Moderate (one sagging section, one leaky miter): $200-$600 repair call
- Major (multiple sags, visible fascia rot, rust through): Full or partial replacement — get it scheduled BEFORE April hail season
Why March specifically
March is the window. Earlier (Jan-Feb) you can't always get a ladder up safely. Later (April-May), you're competing with hail-storm repair demand and waiting 2-3 weeks for an inspector. March is when we have the most availability and gutters are revealed under dry conditions.