10 Signs It’s Time for a Gutter Replacement
On average, gutters should last about 20 years, but they need regular maintenance so they can keep doing their job. However, due to storms and other factors, damage is sometimes unavoidable.
When they are damaged, gutters can often be repaired rather than replaced. However, you should be aware of the warning signs that tell you it’s time for a gutter replacement.
1. Gaps and Cracks
Once cracks appear in your gutters, your gutter system can’t properly do its job, which is to direct water away from your home.
However, if water is seeping through cracks in your gutters, then it’s pouring out onto one specific spot rather than being redirected. Some small cracks can be patched, but cracks that wrap around the entirety of a gutter are a sign that it’s time for a replacement.
Sometimes, cracks in gutters are hard to spot, but if you notice water marks or discolorations on your home’s exterior, these are other tell-tale signs of cracking.
2. Rust
Once your gutters begin rusting and corroding, it’s practically impossible to stop. Rust is a sign that the gutters’ protective coating has worn out and the gutters are nearing the end of their life. As the rust worsens, leaking will also worsen. Gutter replacement is the only option to alleviate these issues.
3. Peeling Paint
The coating on your gutters is meant to withstand the wear and tear of all four seasons of Minnesota weather. However, when that coating begins to peel, it’s time to start shopping for new gutters. Like rust, peeling paint is a sign that the protective coating in your gutters has worn out, leaving the gutters’ metal to fend for itself.
4. Multiple Damaged Fasteners
Fasteners are small metal pieces that hold your gutters to your roof and keep them level. If these fasteners are the issue, it is possible to repair a couple of them. However, in many cases, the gutter is the issue that’s causing multiple fasteners to come loose.
5. Nails and Screws Coming Loose
If you’re finding nails or screws in your yard underneath the roofline, they likely came from the section of gutters directly above. The gutters might be working themselves loose and should be replaced.
6. Overflowing Water
If your gutters are overflowing despite your downspouts spitting out water, the gutter system may need replacing. Overflow could be a sign that your gutters are improperly installed, improperly sloped, or too narrow for your home. Call a gutter professional if you think this may be the case for you and want a second opinion.
7. Bending or Leaning Gutters
It’s important to thoroughly clean out your gutters at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. If you don’t and a heavy amount of debris sits in your gutters for an extended period of time, it can put a significant strain on your gutter system, causing the gutters to bend and lean.
If the bending and leaning gets to the point of your gutters looking like they may fall off, then they could be beyond repair. However, you should first clean out the gutters and see if a repair might be possible.
8. Separated or Sagging Gutters
Gutters are fastened together to make a continuous channel, but if they start separating from one another, they will not function properly. Sometimes, you may be able to make a temporary fix to put them back together, but you should have them professionally inspected if the issue persists.
A sagging gutter may look like it’s bowing or pulling away from your house. This is a sign that your gutters’ brackets may be loose.
9. Mildew or Puddles of Water Around Your Home
New mildew or puddling around your home is a sign that your gutters are not working properly. They may simply be clogged with debris, but if you get up on a ladder and do not find significant debris in your gutters, they are likely cracked and need replacing.
10. Foundation Issues or Basement Flooding
A shifting or cracking foundation is often the result of moisture seeping into the soil underneath your home over a long period of time. This moisture may have come from faulty gutters that were not replaced. Foundation issues are a major and costly headache that you certainly want to avoid. Prevent these issues by making sure your gutters are doing their job.
In extreme cases, faulty gutters can also lead to water coming into your basement and causing extensive damage. Standing water in your basement can damage its structural integrity, ruin your belongings, and lead to mold, among other issues.
Notice Any of These Warning Signs? Call Kiser Construction
If you see any of these warning signs when inspecting your gutter system, call Kiser Construction or another reputable gutter company. At Kiser, our gutter experts will provide an honest and comprehensive inspection of your gutters to let you know whether your gutters can be repaired or need to be replaced.
