7 Signs Your Gutters Need Replacing

Some issues with your home exterior do not need immediate attention. That is, you can put them off until it’s convenient and feasible to fix them. However, some issues need immediate attention once you’ve isolated them as a problem. Your gutter system is one of these. Gutters are incredibly important in protecting the integrity of your house, including your foundation, your landscape, your interior and exterior.

Take a look at your gutters today to find out if they’re exhibiting any of the following seven signs that they need to be replaced.

1. Severe Cracks and Leaks

Inspect your gutters for cracks or holes. Either one can cause leaks of varying severity. By itself, a leak or two is not enough to require gutter replacement. Some small leaks can be repaired easily with plastic cement. However, large cracks cannot usually be repaired this way. Not only that, but the cracks will get worse each time the gutters have to weather a storm. You may be able to stave off replacement by adding a layer of flashing, but it’s only a temporary fix.

2. Pools of Water

If you walk around your house after a storm or after sustained days of rain and notice pools of water at the base of your home by the foundation, there’s very likely to be a major leak in your gutters. Investigate further by looking at the area around your downspouts. Even though downspouts normally run off a lot of water, it shouldn’t result in pools near your foundation. If you see this, it’s a good sign that gutter replacement could be in your future.

3. Discolored, Rotting or Peeling Areas Beneath Gutters

Look beneath where your gutters run across your home. If you find peeling, rotting or discoloration on the fascia board or any area underneath your gutters, it might be a cause for concern. If the damage extends over a couple of feet, then this is a strong sign that you might need new gutters.

4. Sagging and Pulling

Walk back from your home far enough so that you can see your full gutter line. If you see areas that are sagging or have pulled away from the roof edge, you should take a closer look. Most of the time, you will easily be able to see the damage. If your gutters sag or pull away from the roof at multiple points, it’s probably time for a new gutter system.

5. Gutter and Downspout Connection Issues

The area where the gutters and downspouts join can end up off-kilter if they were not installed correctly or if one or the other was replaced separately. This can cause various system failures, including shifting during a storm and spillage. At this point, it’s best to get one or both replaced professionally to ensure a precise fit. Even a few millimeters off in the connection and the whole system will experience some type of failure.

6. Gutter Corrosion

If you see that your gutters have peeling paint and/or specks of orange, then it’s a sign that corrosion has set in. Corrosion is ultimately the biggest enemy of metal gutters. Peeling paint might be the start, but once the orange specks start to spread, then your gutter system could be headed for major corrosion.

7. Basement Mold or Mildew

Even though basements are partially underground, they should not experience mold and mildew under normal circumstances. If you start seeing mildew or mold on your basement walls or around the floor, the culprit might be a failing gutter system. What happens is that a faulty system causes spillage around your foundation, which seeps into the basement. Combined with other signs mentioned above, you can take this as a big sign that your gutters need to be replaced.