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Signs You Need to Replace Your Gutters
When was the last time you thought about your gutters? To be fair, most homeowners take this exterior feature for granted. Trusting that they’ll continue to do their job, protecting housing from moisture for decades—or more. Unfortunately, the time will come when you’ll need new gutters. Usually, there are plenty of warning signs; you just need to know how to recognize them.
When the Old Gutters Are Leaky
Are your old gutters leaking in several places? Getting a new gutter should be done ASAP. An old gutter system will cause a lot of water to penetrate the area around your home, potentially compromising your home’s foundation and walls. This can be considered a gutter emergency and delaying this will cause more costly problems later on.
When Your Gutters Are Too Small
Does your home have 5-inch gutters? There’s a chance that it might be too small to handle heavy water runoff, especially if your home has a steep roof design. According to our gutter specialists, you should consider switching to newer 6-inch gutters before the next forecasted storm hits your area.
1. Visible Cracks
If you notice one or two very small cracks in your gutter, you might be able to patch them up with sealant. However, if you see more than a handful of cracks, it’s time for a complete replacement. What starts as a small crack could easily become much worse after heavy rainfall. Inspect your gutters during and after rainfall and look for any sections where water is dripping down. This helps you identify small cracks that might not be visible to the naked eye.
2. Rusted Areas
If your gutters are made of galvanized steel, you might start to notice rusting as the protective coating wears off over time. This will usually be orange in color and might be on the actual gutter, or on the wall close to it. Rust is a clear sign that your gutters need to be replaced and it will only get worse over time.
3. Sagging
Are your gutters starting to look a little droopy? Are they sagging and coming away from the edge of your house? Gutters tend to sag as a result of being full of water, with the weight pulling them down. This is a sign that they aren’t working as they should and need to be cleaned, fixed, or replaced completely. If you’re not clear on the reasons behind the sagging, it’s worth asking an expert to take a look.
4. Peeling Paint
Noticed peeling paint on your house? This suggests that water is trickling down from your gutters and causing water damage, which causes your exterior paint to peel. Unaddressed, water damage like this could do real damage to the structure of your home. Have you seen peeling paint on your actual gutters? This is a sign that their protective coating is wearing off, meaning that it’s time for a replacement. When it comes to gutters, peeling paint is never a good sign – always get a professional to take a look.
5. Mildew and Moisture
Have you noticed a build-up of moisture, mold, or mildew around the foundation of your house? If you have, your gutters clearly aren’t redirecting water the way they should. Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems, so it’s wise to get your gutters replaced as soon as possible.
Who Should You Call to Replace Gutters?
It’s never a good idea to try and replace gutters yourself. Instead, you should contact a professional that specializes in gutter replacement and knows exactly what to do. They’ll be able to get to the root of the problem and install a replacement that should stop the same issues from reoccurring.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004