Gutters are an essential part of your home, as they prevent a rainy day from becoming a major nuisance. While most gutters can last 20 years, you'll eventually have to replace them, especially if they've been looking a little worse lately because of wear and tear. Knowing when to make the decision to opt for a gutter replacement can be difficult, so we've compiled these eight signs that you might need new gutters. If you're a homeowner, it's important to be aware of the signs that indicate it's time to replace your gutters.
Small cracks in the gutters, peeling paint or orange spots, pools of water or mold near foundations, 4-inch gutters, rusty stains, collapsed gutters, orange spots, and water damage or marks under the gutter are all signs that you need to replace your gutters. Cracks in the gutters may seem like a minor issue, but if not addressed quickly they can cause major damage to the fascia boards behind the gutters, the shingles above the gutters, and the base underneath them. Peeling paint or orange spots indicate that there is continuous standing water in the gutter system and should be addressed as soon as possible. Pools of water or mold near foundations indicate that the gutters are not working properly and should be inspected by a professional.
If you have an older house with 4-inch gutters, you should opt for 5-inch gutters to help with water flow. Rusty stains quickly turn into holes and can cause water damage to your home's lining. Collapsed gutters are a sign that they are not strong enough and need to be replaced. Orange spots near any metal area indicate that it's time for a new gutter system.
Finally, water damage or marks under the gutter indicate that dripping or overflowing water is escaping from the gutter. Cleaning your gutters regularly and performing occasional inspections are the best ways you can care for your gutters. If you start to see any of these signs, it's likely that your gutters are near the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. Rust stains quickly turn into holes, and you don't want rainwater to seep through the rusty stains on your gutters, as it can leave large, hard-to-remove stains on the lining of your house, not to mention that holes in the gutters can damage the water.
