Often gutters don’t get the respect they deserve. Day in, day out, they are on call 24/7 to protect your home from the different types of damage water can cause. But no matter how well they have been maintained, gutters can’t last forever. While the obvious indicators include rusting or damaged gutter sections, check for these other signs you need new gutters.
Damage
Gutters that are rusting, bent, dented, cracked or leaking compromise how efficiently they protect your home. If you have to constantly make the same repair, this is a major sign you need new gutters.
Going South
If your gutters are going south for the winter, aka pulling away from the roofline, you’ll need to find out why. Sagging gutter sections can be the result of water not being able to drain away; screws, nails or fasteners have become worn; or the fascia is rotting.
Standing or Pooling
Two other important signs that your home might need new gutters are standing or pooling water. Standing water inside the gutter channel is often the result of a clogged gutter section or a blocked downspout. While regularly cleaning the gutters is the most obvious solution, again, if you have to deal with too many clogs too often, think about installing a new gutter system.
Pooling water typically occurs around the downspouts or near the foundation. If a common solution such as adding a downspout extender or improving the grading around the affected downpipe doesn’t fix the problem, pooling water could be an indication of a serious or not so noticeable defect in the gutters.
Exterior Walls
Look for peeled or bubbled paint or mold on exterior walls; it could be the result of excess moisture from a malfunctioning gutter system. If your house has siding, check for loose, stained and/or worn siding panels.
Basement and Foundation
A basement that is constantly damp or flooding could be the victim of overflowing gutters. Check the basement for mildew or mold. Also check the foundation for mildew or mold growth. Examine the basement walls and the outside of the foundation for cracks.
