When was the last time you replaced the gutters on your home? Have you ever?
If the gutters on your home have been there a while, it’s in your best interest to check them out. You may need a gutter replacement.
Gutters are meant to protect your home by routing water away from it. If that isn’t happening, all sorts of issues can arise.
But how do you know if you need to replace the gutters on your home? Keep reading for eight signs that you need to do just that.
1. Cracks
Cracking is a sure sign that you need new gutters around your home. Cracks allow water to leak, which defeats the purpose of having rain gutters.
Carefully inspect your rain gutters all around you house. A small crack here and there may not be much of an issue, but it will still cause leaking.
Luckily, if you only have a couple cracks you can repair them. But you’ll definitely want to consider replacing the gutters if you have many or large cracks.
When looking for cracks you may want to use binoculars. Though your gutters aren’t that far away, they’re far enough that small cracks will be hard to see from the ground.
2. Stressed Seams
The seams are the areas where two pieces of your gutter system come together. These areas can become stressed due to normal wear and tear. They can also be stressed by leaves and other debris that isn’t removed.
You may be able to mend seamstress. But if it’s left unattended, you may risk gutters coming apart.
To avoid this issue in the future, consider seamless gutters.
3. Pooling Water
Have you started to see pools of water around the foundation of your house? If so, your gutters aren’t working properly. They’re meant to keep water away from the foundation, not send it pouring down around it.
If you haven’t seen pooling water, it’s a good idea to check. The next time you have a rainstorm, take a stroll around your home. Make sure your gutters aren’t letting water out where they shouldn’t be.
Pooling may also be the result of clogged gutters. This can also cause damage to your foundation.
If you see water pooling around your home, your gutters may just be plugged. Would you rather have a professional clean your gutters for you? Click the following link to read more now.
If plugging isn’t causing the problem, you probably need to replace your gutters.
4. Pulling Away
If the gutters are pulling away from your home, you should consider replacing them. Sure, you can remedy this issue yourself by nailing them back in. But, continued pulling away is an issue.
Replace your gutters if you have to keep putting your gutters back in place. This is a sign that fascia boards may be rotting. If they are, the issue will be fixed with a gutter replacement.
5. Water Damage
Check for water damage beneath your gutters on a day that’s free from rain. If you see any sign of damage, you may need to replace your gutters.
Water damage may be present if your gutters are leaking. Try to find the cause of the leak before replacing the gutters.
You may just need to clean the gutters out. But, there may be bigger issues, such as cracks.
Water damage may included siding that’s bubbled, or paint that’s peeling away from the house. You may be able to repair small amounts of damage, but if it’s extensive get a replacement.
6. Eroded Landscaping
If the landscaping around the bottom of your home is leaking, it may be from leaking gutters. While you’re checking for foundation issues and pooling water, look at the landscaping too.
You want to keep your home looking its best inside and out, so make sure your gutters aren’t hampering your efforts. If you continually have issues with leaking water causing your landscaping to erode, consider replacing your gutters.
As always, check to make sure your gutters aren’t just clogged first!
7. Rotting
If you have wood trimmings around your home, they are in danger of rotting if your gutters are leaking. If you see rotting wood around windows or in other areas of your home, it may be from water constantly running down your house.
Avoid rotting by checking for leaking issues early. If you notice any problems, address them quickly. Leaking you can see or visible damage from water are signs that rotting could occur.
8. Mold and Mildew
When properly functioning, gutters move water away from your home. That’s not just to protect your siding and foundation. It also helps to protect your basement.
If your gutters aren’t doing their job, you may end up with damage in your basement. This could show up in the form of mold and/or mildew.
If you suspect that your gutters may not be working properly, check the areas of your basement that could have water coming from the outside. If there is mold or mildew, you may have a gutter issue.
Time for Gutter Replacement
If you see any of the issues covered in this list, it’s probably time for you to get a gutter replacement. While it may seem like a hassle, it’s worth the time and money involved.
If you don’t want to do it yourself, professionals are available to get it done quick and easy for you.
As soon as you spot gutter issues, assess the situation. If you can repair the problem yourself, great! But don’t justify problems to avoid replacing gutters when they should be replaced.
Are you inspecting the gutters on a home you’re thinking of purchasing? If you are, check out our list of things you must do before buying a home.
