Gutters are an Important Defense

Gutters are sadly unappreciated for all of the good that they do.  They are the primary water drainage system of your home and keep your paint, foundation, and roof safe from water damage.  A well-maintained gutter system will last for decades, but inclement weather conditions, falling branches, or extensive clogging can necessitate replacement.

Many types of gutter damage can be easily repaired, but there will come a time when they need to be replaced.  So how do you know when repair won’t be enough and gutters need to be replaced?  In the interest of keeping you informed, we’ve created this list of five signs that it’s time to replace your gutters.

1. Age

As previously mentioned, a well-maintained gutter system will last you for a long time, but they will experience wear and tear with age.  Most galvanized steel and vinyl gutters will last for 20 years, while gutters made from more durable materials such as copper may last as long as 50 years without needing replacement.

If you recently had your gutters replaced, the good news is that with proper maintenance you aren’t going to have to think about it for a very long time provided that nothing goes horribly wrong. 

However, If you recently purchased a home with older gutters, you’re going to want to keep an eye on them for any sign of damage and replace them at the first sign that they aren’t working well.

2. Paint Damage

More than heat or cold, the number one enemy of your paint is moisture.  While a certain amount of rainwater touching the exterior paint of your house is unavoidable, gutters are remarkably effective at catching rainwater before it has a chance to damage your paint.  If they are working correctly, that is.

If you notice that your paint is peeling or cracking, this is a sign that your gutters might need to need to be replaced.  This could indicate that your gutters have become detached or warped and are not forming a flush seal with your roof, meaning water is pouring over your paint and your gutters will have to be replaced.

3. Sagging Gutters

This is pretty straightforward.  Warped, bent, or sagging gutters will have to be replaced.  Sagging gutters can be caused by falling tree branches or heavy amounts of plant matter clogging them.  Either way, if your gutters are misshapen and sagging, they are not doing their job correctly and need to be replaced as soon as possible.

4. Cracked gutters

A few cracks here and there aren’t going to hurt, provided that they are quickly sealed, but if you’ve noticed extensive leaking from the bottom of your gutters, this is a sure sign that your gutters are badly cracked and will need to be replaced. 

Cracks can be caused by inclement weather such as hail or high winds, but they could indicate more serious problems such as rusting.  Check the area directly under your gutters for pooling water after rain.  If you are finding a lot of pools, you should make arrangements immediately to have your gutters replaced.

5. Damaged seams

Once again, this is another issue that could be repaired depending on the extent of the damage.  The seams where gutters are fused are the weakest part of the gutter structurally and are more prone to age-related damage. 

A leaky seam every now and then is nothing to be too alarmed about, but if they continue to leak after repair or it seems like all of the seams in your gutters are constantly leaking, there is likely serious damage to the structural integrity of your gutters.  If the seams are badly damaged, replacement is necessary.  In order to avoid this headache in the future, we recommend having seamless gutters installed.

If you’re having issues with your gutters, don’t hesitate to give us a call.  Gutters are extremely important to the safety of your house, so don’t put this one off!