You’ve just finished mopping up a mysterious puddle in the basement. The siding’s looking worse for wear, and you’ve noticed water pooling a bit too close to your foundation. But here’s the kicker – you’ve kept up with your own gutter cleaning. So what gives?

If you’re scratching your head wondering where that water’s coming from, it might be time to look next door. Yes, you read that right. Your neighbour’s neglected gutters might be the real culprits behind your home’s water woes.

At Gutter Doctor, we’ve seen it all – and this scenario comes up more often than you might think.

When Next Door Becomes Your Problem

Living in Canada, particularly in cities like Calgary, Edmonton, or Airdrie, means dealing with everything from torrential rain to sudden snowmelt. When your neighbour’s gutter system isn’t doing its job, it can directly impact your property.

Here’s how:

Overflowing eavestroughs can send water cascading onto your land, eroding soil, damaging landscaping, and even seeping into your basement.
Broken downspouts or the lack of proper downspout installation might mean runoff is directed straight towards your foundation.
Clogged gutters filled with debris cause water to spill over instead of draining properly – and gravity doesn’t care about property lines.

A simple lack of maintenance next door could lead to serious, and expensive, headaches on your end.

What to Look Out For

If you're starting to suspect your neighbour’s gutters are causing trouble, keep an eye out for these signs:

Pools of water near your shared property line
Damp spots or moss growth on your exterior walls
Basement dampness or odd musty smells
Soggy landscaping or erosion close to the fence

And if you're noticing any of the above, it might be time to have a friendly chat over the fence.

What Can You Do About It?

1. Start with a Conversation

Before you go calling the council, have a polite conversation. Your neighbour might not even realise their clogged gutters are causing problems. Let them know what you've noticed – and maybe even recommend Gutter Doctor while you're at it. It’s always easier to deal with these things collaboratively.

2. Protect Your Side

Install barriers like landscaping swales or French drains to redirect water away from your home. Regular roof maintenance and eavestrough repair on your end can also keep damage at bay, even if the water's coming from elsewhere.

3. Book a Professional Inspection

Sometimes it’s hard to tell exactly where the problem starts. A professional gutter inspection from Gutter Doctor can identify drainage issues quickly and recommend fixes – not just for your home, but possibly for your neighbour’s too (with their permission, of course).

The Power of Prevention

We can't say it enough: maintenance is cheaper than repairs. Whether it's gutter cleaning, downspout adjustments, or a full eavestrough replacement, staying on top of it makes a world of difference.

Our blog on Why You Should Never Put Off Gutter Repairs in Alberta’s Unpredictable Weather is a great read if you're still wondering whether it's time for a service.

Want more practical tips? Try these helpful reads:

Final Thoughts: Keep the Peace and Stay Dry

It’s not always easy dealing with neighbour-related issues – especially when it’s something as technical (and often overlooked) as gutters. But with clear communication and a bit of know-how, you can protect your home and potentially help them improve theirs too.

Don’t wait until that mystery puddle turns into a flooded basement.

Give Gutter Doctor a shout today – whether it's for a one-time inspection or regular maintenance. From gutter cleaning to roof and soffit repairs, we’ve got your back (and your eavestroughs).

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Thanks for reading – and here’s to drier, damage-free homes for all of us!

Contact Gutter Doctor or Request a Service today to get started.

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Why Your Neighbours' Gutters Might Be Causing Your Water Damage