10 Signs You Need Gutter Replacement
Gutters are essential to the integrity of a roof and home. They protect your house by helping move away rainwater so it doesn’t cause damage. However, they are often overlooked. Here are a few signs you may need to consider calling your favorite roofing professional to get started on the process of new gutters.
1. There is Visible Damage
Sometimes gutter problems are very small and easy to fix. For example, small holes are easy to patch. Maybe your gutters are coming detached from your roof? You can tighten the hardware to fix this issue.
However, extensive damage usually requires new gutters. Look at your gutters to check for the level of damage. You may notice corrosion, rust spots, gaps in the beams between sections of gutters, and broken hardware along the ground underneath the gutters. If you notice this on more than half a dozen sections, call a professional right away.
2. You Notice Your Gutters Separating Or Detaching
Gutter systems only function if they are fastened together in a continuous channel. If you notice they are separating from one another frequently, it’s time for a gutter replacement.
Another thing you might notice is your gutters pulling away from your roof. You can hammer in the fasteners over and over, but if spaces continue to appear, the fascia boards may be rotting. A gutter replacement will fix the fascia problems along with the upgraded gutters.
3. You Notice Peeling Paint And/Or Flecks Of Orange
If you notice paint peeling from the exterior of your home, it’s probably time for new gutters. The paint on your gutter withstands typical wear and tear throughout the season. Unless your gutters are very old, peeling paint or orange flecks from the beginning stages of rust are an indicator that water is present continuously. This could show that water is not being removed by the existing gutters and a replacement may be necessary soon.
4. Your Home Has Water Damage
Whether or not you see visible issues on your gutters, if there is water damage, you likely need new gutters. If you constantly have water puddles or icy spots under some of your gutters, this is a sign they’re not working correctly. They design gutters with the purpose of keeping water flowing away from your home’s foundation. If you notice pools of water or mildew near the foundation, it can show your gutters are not working at their best. Something as simple as a clog or something more complex could cause this, like a defect in the gutter system. It’s important to get this checked on when you notice it. Water can easily damage the foundation, leading to costly and time-consuming repairs.
If you notice mildew in the basement and cannot find any other cause, that could also signify a gutter issue. Basically, if the gutters aren’t helping to transport the rainwater away from your home, the water can accumulate along the base of your home and sneak into your basement through the foundation. That can cause flooding, mildew, or musty odors.
5. You’re Getting A New Roof
You can pair old gutters with a new roof, but it’s always best and sometimes even necessary to upgrade your gutters along with your roof. Go with a new set that will protect your new roof the best. If you are putting on a metal roof, a lower profile type of gutter may be best, so falling snow doesn’t harm gutters.
6. Your Gutters Have Lead Paint
If your gutters are older than 1978, they may have lead paint. Check the paint on the gutters. If the pain looks like a factory put it on, it’s probably not lead. It’s a sign of trouble if it looks hand-painted.
It’s quick and easy to do a lead test. Buy lead testing trips, rub it on the affected area, then wait to see if it changes colors. If it does, it’s time to upgrade your gutters to safer ones.
7. Your Landscape Has Started To Erode
You work hard to make your yard look good! If you have to keep investing time and money to repair water damage to your landscaping from malfunctioning gutters, it’s probably time for a gutter replacement.
8. You Think Your Gutters Are Ugly
Sometimes you may want to change your gutters simply because you don’t look the like of them. It’s your house, make it look the way you want to! If you don’t like the current color or shape of your gutters, put in new ones! New gutters can change the whole look of your home.
9. You’ve Gotten Hurt Cleaning Your Gutters
There are about 136,000 ladder-related injuries per year. Between the years 1990 and 2005, the number increased by 50%. If you’ve gotten hurt while cleaning your gutters, upgrade to a gutter system that you don’t have to clean. Think about installing rain gutter covers. With these, you never have to worry about removing leaves or other debris from your gutters.
10. You’d Rather Avoid Ever Getting Hurt
Don’t wait until you actually get hurt to make a change. Like we said above, rain gutter covers make it so you never have to worry about removing leaves or any other kind of debris from your gutters. These are a brilliant investment if you want to be proactive, rather than reactive.
Final Words
Your gutters are important to keeping your home’s structure intact. Broken or damaged gutters can cause water damage to your home, which could turn into a very costly problem. If you notice any signs of damage on your gutters or if you simply want to revamp the aesthetic of your home, give us a call at (636) 699-0449.