Your gutters are an important part of your home’s exterior. They divert rain away from your home and prevent water-related damage. But, just like every other aspect of your home, your gutters need to be maintained and replaced over time. If you’re beginning to notice some of the following changes on the outside of your home, it may be time to replace your gutters. For a more in-depth look at why gutters are important, check out our article, Why Does My Home Need Gutters?
Cracks and Holes
Visible cracks and holes in your gutters are an obvious sign that your gutter system needs to be replaced. Gutters with cracks or holes will leak water all over, undermining their ability to prevent moisture damage to the home. Even small cracks need to be addressed before they develop into a far more severe problem.
Peeling Paint
Outdoor paint is designed to withstand typical wear and tear from the weather, but continual exposure to water may cause bubbling or peeling. In the early stages of gutter failure, you may notice areas of paint that are bubbling from excess moisture. This is an indication that your gutters need to be replaced. If the paint on your siding or trim is beginning to peel away, take it as a sign that you need to replace your gutters.
Sagging
If you see that your gutter is falling or sagging away from your home, it may be time to replace the system. Sagging means that your gutter system is not flowing properly and that water is sitting in your gutters, adding weight to the system. This puts unnecessary strain on your gutters and may cause them to pull away from your house—and eventually collapse.
Detachment from House
A step beyond sagging is gutter detachment. If you see your gutters separating from your house, it’s definitely time for a new gutter system. Detached gutters are a safety hazard and can damage your home or landscaping.
Mold or Mildew
A free flow of water along the face of your house may cause mold or mildew to develop on your siding. This is an indication that the gutters are not doing their job and may need to be replaced.
Rust
If you notice rust on metal fixtures around your home, it may be time to replace your gutters. Your downspout may not be properly directing the water away from your home, which allows it to pool and damage metal items.
Landscape Erosion
One of the primary jobs of your gutters is to safely direct water away from your home. If gaps have appeared in the rocks or mulch in your landscaping, it may be a sign that your gutters are not properly directing the rainfall away from your home.
Rotting
A faulty gutter system will allow rainfall to flow unchecked along the face of your house. The increase in moisture may cause wooden fixtures like windowsills, trim, and doors to rot. If you address gutter problem early on, this should not be an issue.
If you need gutter services or new gutter installation, contact us. For more than 50 years, Pacific has been a trusted resource in the Western Colorado area. Request a repair today!
