With so many other things to worry about, your gutters might be the last thing on your mind right now. However, if your gutters were to stop functioning suddenly, your home wouldn’t have a proper drainage system. Water would soak its walls, damaging both its facade, structure, and surroundings. As a result, you’d have to pay an arm and a leg for the repairs, provided they were feasible in the first place.
To avoid such a hassle, you should clean your gutters every three months. More importantly, you should replace them when there’s a need for it — for instance, if your gutters are old (over 20 years) or have been subject to heavy storms. The longer you wait, the more severe and costly the damage will be, so be sure to act quickly.
5 Telltale Signs You Need a Gutter Replacement
If you notice any of the following signs, it might be a good idea to contact your roofing contractor soon:
- Large dents, holes, and rust spots. If you come across one or two age spots, cracks, or holes, they can probably be repaired with some sealant and you’ll likely be able to get a few more years out of your existing gutters. However, if there are about half a dozen of such spots, it might be more time and cost-effective to simply replace your gutters.
- Gaps, detached and sagging gutters. Even a minor gap will allow water to seep through and ruin your facade, let alone an entire missing gutter section.
- Paint peeling off the exterior walls. Unfortunately, a peeling and rotting exterior typically means water reached the siding of the house a long time ago. Check above the peeling spot, as that’s more than likely where the water is coming from.
- Rot and mold. When water reaches the walls, mold starts developing in about a day. Thus, you should be quick to repair your gutters. Aside from looking and smelling repulsive, mold is extremely dangerous to your health. Make sure not to inhale it and call mold specialist right away.
- Landscape damage. Gutters that are clogged or compromised in any way will cause any excess water to overflow, showering both your house and the yard. In that case, you’ll most likely notice pools of water on the lawn and damage to the plants.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
When the need comes for a replacement, you should know that you can upgrade your new gutters to make them more durable and less prone to damage. For one, sectional gutters are old news. It’s common to opt for seamless gutters these days, as they have fewer seams and thus fewer potential leakage points.
Secondly, bigger is better in this case. It’s simple — the larger your gutters and downspouts, the more water they’ll be able to handle. Finally, you can also install a leaf guard/protector, which will make your gutters much less prone to clogging.
Have a burning question about gutters? Call Tadlock Roofing today! Our experienced team of experts will gladly answer any and all of your gutter and roofing queries.
