Signs You Need New Gutters

Your home's gutter system directs water away from your house. However, if the gutters are extremely old or damaged, they could cause many problems to your roof and your home. Look out for these tell-tale signs that you need new gutters.

Paint Peeling or Rust

Most gutters have a coat of paint that can withstand wear and tear for many seasons. But as the gutters get older, the metal may start to corrode, and the paint may peel away. Small patches of peeled paint aren't usually a major problem, but extensive rust spots can compromise your roof's structural integrity. In some cases, rust can weaken and lead to the collapse of your gutters.

Contact a gutter expert when you notice rust flakes on the ground beneath the gutters. The expert can repair the rust spots and prevent the corrosion from creating holes that allow water to seep into the home. But if the cracks have become large and hard to remove, gutter installation can help save money in the long run.

Saggy Gutters

Your gutters should be straight and firm, but excessive rain or snow can cause the gutters to sag and divert water away from the roof. The sagging shows that the fasteners or original supports cannot withstand the weight of the gutters. 

The sagging problem starts slowly but can become a major issue if you don't do anything. This can interfere with the water drainage from your roof and cause blockage in the gutters.

The fasteners that hold the gutters to the roofing structure can also deteriorate and cause saggy gutters. Before the winter or rainy season begins, ask a gutter professional to inspect the gutters and fasteners for any signs of wear and tear. Since repairing saggy gutters can be costly, gutter replacement may be more worth it.

Splits, Cracks, or Separated Gutters

Normal wear and tear can cause splits and cracks at various points of your gutter system. Even the smallest cracks or splits require immediate repairs to prevent them from becoming larger and causing more damage to your gutter system. Cracks and splits tend to expand during winter when ice accumulates in the cracks and expands. Expanding cracks can damage the gutter foundation, surrounding shingles, and the fascia boards near the gutters.

Mold or Pools of Water

The design of gutters and downspouts helps water to drain properly from the roof and stay away from the house's foundation. But you may notice pools of water near the foundation and along your home's edges. Washed-up dirt may also appear on the ground beneath the gutters. These are signs of malfunctioning gutters and can lead to costly foundation repairs if you don't quickly replace the gutters.

The water around your foundation may eventually flow into the basement. This water can also destroy various landscaping features around the house. 

A Leaky Roof

Water seeping into your home via the roof can signal defective gutters. The most common sign is moisture accumulating on the roof and flowing down through the house's siding. Poor roof installation usually is why gutters allow water to leak via the roof. As you schedule gutters replacement, get a roofer to check the roof installation.

Breaks at the Seams

An airtight sealing joins gutters together and prevents water from leaking. Extreme weather conditions and aging can cause the seams to break and split. Although a gutter professional can repair minor breaks at the seams, frequent and large breaks point toward gutter replacement.

Properly installed and effective gutters collect water on the roof and drain the water away from your home. If the gutters have sustained extensive damage, Kelly's Construction Inc can do the right renovations and solve the problem. We offer gutters installation and replacement, energy-efficient windows, and hassle-free siding installation. Contact us to get a quote.