Gutters are an essential part of your home's exterior, helping to protect your foundations and gardens by safely moving water away from your home. When gutters reach the end of their useful life, they can no longer do their job. If you don't change your gutters quickly, you might start to notice flooding in the basement, water damage to the lining, and more. To ensure your gutters are functioning properly, it's important to keep a detailed record of gutter inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
Dropped gutters are a telltale sign that it's time for replacement. If the fasteners don't give way to the additional weight load, some sections of the gutters might. Repair what you can, but if you're constantly picking up these metal parts from the floor, it's time to replace the gutter. If you don't know when your gutters were installed, look for other signs that it's time for a new system. Water damage or marks under the gutter indicate that dripping or overflowing water is escaping from the gutter.
This is because water from the gutter splashes or overflows and runs down the back of the gutter along the outside of the house. You can also see gaps between the gutter connections or between the gutters and the fascia plates to which they are attached.Galvanized steel or aluminum gutters have an average life expectancy of 20 years, while copper gutters can last up to 50 years. Keeping gutters and downspouts clean plays a key role in preventing premature aging and not draining properly. A professional inspection company will check for wear and tear, evaluate your alignment, evaluate if your gutter system is working properly, and clean the gutters and downspouts. If your gutters are sunken, move away from the house, hang or lean more towards the front instead of being level, or have seams that are loose or separate at the seams and are too worn out to replace, it's time for a new system.
You can repair a small rusty stain from time to time, but if you see large areas, it's worth calling a local gutter installer to discuss replacement options. Helmet Heat cables are an option for those who live in colder climates. Installed under the gutter covers, they won't interfere with gutter protections or alter your outdoor appeal. Barry Best Seamless Gutters explains everything you need to know about when it's time to install a new gutter below.
