Worried you need new gutters soon? The easiest way to tell if your gutters need to be replaced is to look up. The gutters around your home often go unnoticed until something goes wrong. Until that time, gutters are protecting your house from water damage. While most gutter systems last around 20 years, there will come a time when they need to be replaced.
There are several signs that tell you when to replace gutters:
1. Cracking and Splitting
A hairline crack in a gutter might not seem like a big deal, but that crack will widen over time. When gutters are leaking because of cracks, they can’t function properly. This means that the water seeping through those cracks is running down the house, potentially damaging the fascia, soffits, shingles, and foundation.
Next time you clean out your gutters, keep your eyes open for any cracks or splits. Some cracks are easy enough to repair on your own. More extensive damage means that a section of the gutter will need to be replaced.
2. Mildew Growth Everywhere
When it rains, gutters take the water cascading down the roof and funnel it somewhere away from the foundation of your home. Spotting pools of water or mildew growth (or both) near your home points to the gutters not doing their job. Oftentimes, mildew is caused by a blockage in the gutter that has caused water to spill over and down the siding of your home. However, this could also mean there is a defect in the gutter system.
Don’t wait to call a professional to inspect your gutters if you see water and mildew around the foundation. Prolonged exposure to moisture will eventually lead to foundation damage—and very costly repairs.
3. Peeling Paint and Rust
Have you noticed flecks of paint or rust coming off the gutter? That is not normal. Gutters are painted with special paint that is meant to resist wear and tear. If you see paint or rust flecks, it is a sign that the gutter is cracked or damaged somewhere and that the outside is being subjected to water constantly. Do a quick inspection of the gutter. If you find extensive damage or sections where rust has eaten through the metal, it is time to replace those gutters.
4. Sagging Gutters
One sign that gutters need replacing is when they are no longer straight and connected to your home. Sagging gutters are a sure sign that something is wrong in the system. It also means that any water flowing towards the sagging or detached gutters could be damaging the fascia board. Should the gutters get too weighed down, they may even break away from the house, damaging the roof and siding as it goes.
Sagging gutters should be replaced as soon as they happen to save you from costly repairs in the future.
5. Water Damages Around The Gutters
On a day that is sunny and with a low chance of precipitation, head outside to do a visual inspection of your gutters. Look for any signs of water damage. When there are visible marks caused by water damage, it is a sign that water has overflowed continuously or that there is a leak.
You may also notice that there is standing water in the gutter and some debris clogging it. Remove the debris then check the downspouts for congestion, too. Keep your eyes open for any cracks, splits, rust, or breaks in the gutters, as that is a sign that your gutters need to be replaced.
6. Loosened or Lost Fasteners and Nails
Your gutters are connected to your home with hardware, such as screws, fasteners, and nails. If you are constantly finding metal pieces around the yard or notice that hardware is missing from the gutters, it is time to replace them. Otherwise, you are risking sagging gutters, leaks, and other damages to your home.
7. Broken at the Seams
When the gutter system is installed in your home, the sections are sealed together tight. When those seals become damaged or broken, it means leaks can form. As you know by now, any leaking from the gutter is trouble. While repairs can be done for broken seams, it is often easier to replace your gutters completely.
Getting Your Gutters Replaced
Now that you know the signs that gutters need to be replaced, take a glance outside. If you notice any sagging, water damage, leaking, or rust, it’s time to call in the professionals. Get in touch with RGB Construction at 856-264-9093. Our experienced and skilled team can repair your gutters quickly and efficiently. RGB is also a veteran-owned and operated business, meaning we highly value integrity, workmanship, and timeliness.
