One of the most obvious signs that you need to replace your gutters is when you notice cracks or crevices in them. These small cracks can quickly turn into much larger ones, which can cause major problems for water drainage. If you spot any cracks, it's important to fix them immediately by consulting a professional. Another sign that you need to replace your gutters is if there are large gaps in them.
If you find any, cut them out and change them right away. Stagnant water is usually a sign that there is an obstruction in the gutter or downspout. If you can't find the obstruction, it's time to install a new gutter. It's important to remember that an estimated 1,000-square-foot roof receives more than 620 gallons of runoff during a storm that drops an inch of rain.
Your roof system and gutters work together to keep this water out of your house, as it can cause wood rot, mold, leaks, stains and structural damage. When leaves and other natural debris fill the gutters, they decompose and leave you with an unpleasant smell. This rotting debris can also attract birds, mice, squirrels and other unwanted pests to nest in the gutters, causing further obstruction and increasing odor with their waste. To ensure that your gutters are clean and working properly, it's a good idea to install a protection system.
We recommend the Leaf Relief system, which can be applied over existing gutters or with new gutters. These gutter protectors are superior to homemade screen protectors, require no cleaning and have a 25-year warranty. One of the most difficult problems to detect in gutters is an inadequate slope of the gutter. This can cause water to stagnate in the gutter or accumulate at its lowest point.
If you notice that your gutter isn't draining properly but there are no visible leaks, this could be the problem. It's not as easy to fix as the others, but it will cause excessive stress on the gutter system if left unlooked after. A sure sign that you should replace your gutter is if there is a leaky roof. You can tell if this is happening if you see moisture accumulating on the roof when it rains a lot.
It's also important to watch out for detached gutters hanging from your house. This not only means that the system isn't working properly, but it also represents a potential hazard. If there is a strong wind or storm, the gutter could completely detach from the roof and fall on something or someone underneath. Joints where two pieces of gutter are connected are usually the weakest points of any gutter system. If you start to see these joints separating, it's likely that your gutters are near the end of their useful life.
Cracks and crevices in other parts of the gutter are also signs that they are wearing out. Even if you only spot a small crack or crevice, it's worth starting to think about replacing your gutters soon. Cracks and crevices will only grow over time, especially when colder weather hits and ice can seep and expand into those cracks. The appropriate slope for gutters is ½ inch over 10 feet, but if the gutter is more than 40 feet long, you may want to tilt it in the middle of two different drain nozzles. If you don't realize these problems before they get out of hand, you'll need to call a professional to repair or replace your gutters. Even if your home is located away from falling trees and areas of hail, gutter erosion will occur if they aren't maintained properly. If your gutters overflow even though the downspout spits water out, this could be a sign that they are too narrow for your home and should be replaced.
To fix the slope of a gutter, you'll need to rehang it by removing the hardware and re-measuring the pitch. This causes excessive tension in that section of the gutter and can cause the hardware to fail, leading to greater sagging or even a total collapse of the gutter section. It's important to learn about common gutter problems so that you know how to fix them before it's too late and when it's time to replace them completely. Even the smallest leak in your gutters could cause your roof to leak too. Rust stains quickly turn into holes which can leave large hard-to-remove stains on your home's lining as well as causing water damage. Gutters are designed to work with your home's drainage system but some aren't as strong and can collapse if not properly maintained. So before winter or rainy season begins, it's wise to have professionals inspect your gutter system. Every fall and spring you'll have to climb up around your roof perimeter in order to clear clogged gutters.
