A homeowner in Thornhill called us about water dripping from the front of the house near the garage. It had been happening since the snow started melting. They wanted the gutters cleaned.
What we found was a bit more involved than a standard cleaning job.
By Dmitriy Trubnik, Owner of DT Cleaning | March 19, 2026
The dripping was a level problem, not debris
When we got up there, the gutter run along the front of the house was not sitting right. One section had shifted out of level over the winter. Water was pooling on both sides of the low point instead of running toward the downspout. Most of it never made it to the drain.
That explained the dripping. Water sitting in a gutter that is not draining will find somewhere to go. Usually over the edge, or through whatever joint is not sealed anymore. In this case, both things were happening.
Cracked silicone at the joint
The winter had cracked the silicone seal at one of the gutter joints. Once we identified the low spot, it was clear that the same area was also leaking at the seam.
This is a common one we see in early spring. Silicone gets brittle in the cold, and the freeze-thaw cycle works it loose. The joint looks fine from the ground. You only see it when you are up there with water pooling right at the spot.
A ball inside the downspout
This was the part that required more work. Inside one of the downspouts, we found a ball. A small one, the kind kids kick around. It had been sitting in there long enough that debris had compacted around it.
The downspout was not completely blocked, but it was not flowing right either. To clear it properly, we had to take the downspout apart. Once we had it down, we cleared the blockage, checked the inside, and reassembled it.
If you have kids and a sports net near the house, it is worth checking your downspout openings after the season. Balls, shuttlecocks, leaves packed by wind, all of them can work their way in.
Roof inspection while we were up there
The client asked Dmitriy if the crew could take a look at the roof while the ladder was already set. We did a visual inspection of the shingles and flashing.
There was shingle damage in more than one spot, and some of the flashing looked like it needed attention. We documented what we saw and shared it with the client. Roof repairs are outside what we do, but we let them know so they can get the right person in before the next rain season.
This is something we do on most jobs when access allows. If we are already at roofline, it costs nothing to have a look. A lot of homeowners find out about roof issues through us before they show up as a water stain on the ceiling.
What we did on this job
Cleaned the full eavestrough system. Fixed the gutter pitch on the front run. Took the blocked downspout apart, pulled the ball and compacted debris out, and put it back together. Resealed the cracked silicone joint. Checked the roof and documented what we found for the homeowner.
Gutter cleaning in Thornhill
The houses in Thornhill's subdivisions are mostly two-storey, with long gutter runs along the front and back rooflines. Most of them drain to two or three downspouts. When one downspout is underperforming, whether from a blockage or a level issue, the rest of the system takes more load, and joints that were marginal start to fail.
We do gutter cleaning in Thornhill, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill through the spring and fall. If you are seeing water running down the side of your house or dripping near the garage, it is usually something we can find and fix on the same visit. Homeowners searching for gutter cleaning near me in Thornhill, eavestrough cleaning near me in Vaughan, or gutter cleaning in Richmond Hill can call us directly.
For blocked or leaking downspouts, see our eavestrough repair service or our downspout repair Toronto page for more detail on what that work involves.
With 454 five-star Google reviews, DT Cleaning carries $2 million in liability insurance. All technicians hold Working at Heights certification and are WSIB compliant. Call us at (647) 558-8411 or get a fast quote online.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my eavestrough dripping at the front of the house?
The most common causes are: the gutter has shifted out of level so water pools instead of draining, a silicone joint has cracked after winter, or a downspout is partially blocked. All three can cause water to spill over the edge or seep through seams near the garage or front entry.
Can something get stuck in a downspout without fully blocking it?
Yes. A partial blockage slows the flow but does not stop it completely. The gutter fills higher than it should during rain, puts pressure on joints, and often causes overflow at the low point. A ball, compacted leaves, or animal nesting material can all cause this.
How do you fix a gutter that is not draining properly?
We check the pitch first. If the gutter has shifted out of level, we re-hang the affected section so it drains correctly. Then we clear any blockages in the downspouts and reseal any joints that have opened up. Usually done in a single visit.
Do you inspect the roof during a gutter cleaning?
When access allows, yes. If we are at roofline on a ladder, we can see the shingles and flashing on the lower half of the roof. We will flag anything that looks like it needs attention. We do not do roof repairs, but we will let you know what we see.
How often should gutters and eavestroughs be cleaned in Thornhill?
Twice a year is standard: once in late spring after the trees finish dropping seeds and pollen, and once in late fall after the leaves are down. If you have overhanging trees close to the roofline, you may need a third visit depending on the fall.
What happens if I ignore a gutter that is not draining?
Standing water in a gutter adds weight to the hangers and can pull sections away from the fascia over time. It also gives mosquitoes a breeding spot in summer, and in winter, standing water freezes and causes ice dams. The longer it sits, the more likely you will see water getting into the soffit or down the exterior wall.
