Gutters protect your home from rot, mold, and deterioration due to water buildup. Over time, you may need to replace your gutters to prevent water damage to your house. Unlike other home maintenance tasks with a routine maintenance schedule, there are signs you can use to know if your gutters need replacing.
Structural Signs
Inspecting your gutters is an obvious way to determine if they need to be replaced. Damage to the gutter can diminish its ability to carry water away from the house. These signs are typically easy to spot by the naked eye.
The gutters should be flush against the fascia. You should not be able to see between the gutter and the house. If the gutter has pulled away from the house, rainwater may reach the fascia and cause wood rot, which can lead to more extensive and costly repairs.
Sagging is another obvious sign that gutters need to be replaced. If the brackets on the gutters are missing or loose, the gutter may appear to be falling in sections. If not replaced or repaired, the entire gutter may fall off.
Appearance
Look for mold, peeling paint, or rust during your visual inspection. These are signs that there is moisture buildup in the gutters. Even though the gutters are still performing to a degree, they need to be replaced before excessive moisture weakens the material and the gutter falls or breaks completely.
Water Issues
If you are dodging raindrops on your porch steps, it’s time to look at your gutters. You may not be able to see the problem from the ground, but leaking water is an obvious sign of a problem. Similarly, eroding soil or puddles where there shouldn’t be are signs of gutter problems. If not repaired, excessive water can reach your foundation, which is very costly.
Overflowing water from the gutters is another obvious sign that repairs are needed. Sometimes, it is as simple as removing built-up debris. However, if the gutters are not installed properly or have shifted over time, you should replace them to correct the issue.
Gutters keep you dry from the yard to the porch and protect your house from rot and mold. If you suspect your gutters need to be replaced, contact us for an inspection. We will review the options available and help you make the best choice for your house.