Rain gutters collect and divert water so your property doesn’t flood.
When you live in places where rain is abundant and flooding is likely—like in Florida—you need properly working gutters.
But how do you know your gutters are in good condition? And how will you know when it’s time to change them? Sometimes, cleaning the gutters is all you need to do to keep them working.
Yet, there comes a time when gutter replacement is necessary. If you see any of the following warning signs, then it’s time to replace your gutters.
The Gutters Are Cracked, Split and/or Falling Off
Some signs make it obvious that something is wrong with your gutters. For instance, they have cracks or sections are separating, causing water to leak through and flood areas of the ground near the house. It’s important to take action as soon as you notice these signs before they worsen.
If not, you’ll have water issues to deal with, which can lead to mold and deterioration. Your shingles, fascia boards and foundation are all in danger.
You See Your Paint Peeling and Flecks of Orange Around Your Gutters
When your gutters start to fail, it can lead to additional wear and tear throughout the year. This is because the water isn’t draining as it should.
This causes your paint to peel away and rust to form around the areas where cracks are present. Allowing this condition to persist will only create more of a headache. Plus, you’ll have to spend more money on repainting the areas that are peeling and rusting.
At this point, gutter replacement is long overdue.
Mold Is Growing Around Your Foundation
Again, a part of the design of rain gutters is to direct water away from the foundation. When a gutter is not doing its job, it’s allowing the area to flood.
And when that happens, mold and other fungal growths can spring forth. As soon as you start to see pools of water around your foundation, consider gutter replacement ASAP.
Water Marks Are Present Beneath the Gutters
At least once annually you should check your gutters for damage. Wait until it’s a sunny, rain-free day to check them, so you’ll have better visual.
If there are water marks right below the gutters, this is a telltale sign that the gutters are leaking or overflowing.
This issue can also lead to damage to the fascia board and soffit that are absorbing the excess water the gutters can’t remove.
The Gutters Are Sagging
Here is a simple and obvious sign to look out for. If the gutters are sagging, then they’re overflowing with water during heavy rains. Something is either blocking the passage along the line, or gutter replacement is necessary.
You may also notice the gutters are pulling away from the house. This is caused by the sheer weight of the water, either from a clogged flow, or because the gutters are too small to handle the amount of water. Repairing this is costly and a hassle, which is why we recommend a gutter and downspout replacement.
This way, you don’t have to worry about this issue happening again.