Your gutters are an essential part of your roofing system. They protect both your roof and your home by directing water away where it can’t cause any damage. Gutters don’t last forever, though, so it’s important to keep an eye out for these signs that it’s time to replace them.
Sign #1
Your Gutters Are Old
Gutters typically last around 20 to 50 years, depending on the material used to make them. If you know that your gutters are reaching the end of their lifespan, you can save money by replacing them preemptively and avoiding costly water damage.
Sign #2
Your Basement Floods
If you have a basement and you’re consistently seeing water in it when it rains, this could be a sign that your gutters aren’t doing their job properly. Gutters are supposed to direct water away from your house so it doesn’t seep into the basement. Your basement doesn’t need to have a foot of water for it to be a problem. Even a small leak from the outside into your basement is a problem that could be fixed by new gutters.
Sign #3
Your Landscaping Is Eroding
You’ve worked hard on your landscaping and if you see it’s getting eroded every time it rains, that’s not only annoying but is also a sign that your gutters aren’t working properly. The water that runs off of your roof shouldn’t fall straight down onto your landscaping where it can wear away your careful work. Replacing your gutters can help to protect not only your landscaping but also your home’s foundations.
Sign #4
Water Is Pooling Below Your Gutters
The purpose of your gutters is to direct water away from your home via the downspout. If you see water pooling below them, this means that water is spilling over the edges of your gutters instead of flowing down the downspout. This may also be a sign that your gutters are clogged, so check for clogs as well as other signs that your gutters might need to be replaced.
Sign #5
Your House Paint Is Peeling
Peeling paint is a sign of water damage. If the paint on the exterior of your home is peeling away, water could be overflowing from your gutters and dripping down the side of your house. While this could be a sign of a gutter clog, it could also be a sign that your gutters need to be replaced. If you see this, keep an eye out for other signs that your gutters need replacing.
Sign #6
You Find Fasteners on the Ground
If you find screws, nails, or other fasteners that should be holding your gutters onto your home on the ground, that’s a sign of damage to your gutters. If it’s just in one place, you may be able to repair the gutters, but if the problem is widespread, consider replacing your gutters.
Sign #7
Your Gutters Are Sagging
Sagging gutters are a sign that your gutters aren’t pitched correctly. This can cause water to pool in certain areas of the gutters and then spill over onto the ground below. Gutters could also sag because they’re old or damaged or because the hardware is no longer holding them up as well.
Sign #8
Your Gutters Are Pulling Away from the Roof
In order to work properly, your gutters need to be firmly fastened to your roof. If they’re starting to pull away from the house, that’s a sign of a problem with your gutters. It’s possible that you could refasten the section, but if the issue is widespread or keeps occurring, your best option is to replace the gutters.
Sign #9
Your Gutters Are Separating from Each Other
Your gutters should create one seamless line so that water doesn’t escape in between each section. If your gutters are coming apart from each other, this is a sign of a problem with your gutters. They won’t work properly and while you could try to repair them, replacement may be the best option.
Sign #10
The Fasteners Are Broken
If you can see that the fasteners connecting your gutters to each other and to the house are broken, you may need to replace your entire gutter system. You can try to replace just the fasteners or a section of your gutters, but if the problem reoccurs or is widespread, a gutter replacement could be the better option.
Sign #11
There Are Cracks and Holes in the Gutters
Repair is possible with sealant and maybe some flashing if you notice holes and cracks in just one or two sections of your guttering system. However, if you see damage to many sections, then replacement is better than trying to repair all the broken spots.
Sign #12
There Are Rust Spots on Your Gutters
Rust is a problem that could occur with gutters made from gutters. It’s not just an eyesore, either; rust can also eat away at the metal, compromising its integrity. If only one or two sections of your gutters are rusty, then you could replace just those parts, but widespread rust is a sign that it’s time to replace your entire gutter system.