Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Gutters

At first glance, your home’s gutters might look like they’re in great condition. But when was the last time you climbed a ladder and looked at them up close? Most people don’t examine their gutters this closely, which means they miss obvious signs of damage. Your home’s gutters are an important part of the roofing system. When they sag or leak, this can create problems for your roof. Fortunately, with a little bit of knowledge, you can get ahead of potential problems. Keep reading to learn more about the signs that it’s time to replace your gutters.

Wear and Tear

Exposure to the weather elements means that gutters experience their fair share of wear and tear, especially portions of the gutters that get the most sun and wind exposure. Signs of wear and tear that shouldn’t be ignored include cracks, rusty spots, and holes. If your gutters have any of these issues, it means that water will leak as it travels through the guttering system.

Why is this a big deal? You see, gutters direct water to the downspouts and away from the foundation. During heavy rainstorms, if water leaks out of broken gutters, the possibility of water pooling around your foundation increases. This can lead to foundation problems and leaky basements or slab foundations. The good news is that you may not need to replace the entire gutter system. Catching wear and tear issues early often means you can make sectional replacements.

Broken Fasteners and Separated Gutters

Your gutters can only do their jobs when they’re fastened together, creating a seamless system. If you notice broken fasteners, call your local roofing company as soon as possible to make repairs. Sometimes, homeowners don’t realize they have missing or broken fasteners. In this case, all it takes is for heavy rain or a buildup of clutter in the gutters to cause separation. Inspect your gutters after heavy rainstorms for signs of separation.

Peeling Exterior Paint

Have you noticed the paint peeling on your home around the gutters? This is a sign that water is leaking from damaged gutters and causing your paint job to look bad. Don’t just repaint your house. Call a nearby roofing company to come out and check your gutters for signs of damage.

Eroded Landscaping

When water escapes from damaged gutters, it doesn’t just pool around the foundation and cause problems. It can also cause your beautiful landscaping to erode. If you notice erosion in flower beds or hardscapes that have suddenly shifted, start by checking your gutters for holes, separation, or sagging.

How Often Should I Check My Gutters?

Ideally, you want to do a complete visual inspection once every season. However, if there’s been a recent storm or heavy rainfall, it doesn’t hurt to do an additional inspection. Not every person is comfortable climbing a ladder and inspecting their gutters. In some cases, it’s not feasible for the average person to do this because of the slope or pitch of the roof. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire professional roofers to inspect your gutters.

Has it been a while since you’ve had your gutters checked for signs of damage? Call Findlay Roofing in Atlanta at (770) 516-5806 to schedule a professional gutter inspection.