How to Tell You Need to Replace Gutters
Fall is upon us in Maryland. It is a great time to take a walk outside and enjoy the brisk air. While you are at it, take a look at the exterior of your home. Take particular care to inspect gutters. ‘Tis the time to clean them. Not only is the weather quite nice, but you can also flush them out before putting up the hose for the season. Remove all debris and give them a spray down. Best if at higher pressure to ensure it wipes away remaining debris. Once you are done, take a look at your gutters for any damage. You may need to repair or replace gutters, and fall is a perfect time to do it. Not sure what to look for? We can help. Here is a low-down on how to inspect and tell if they are damaged.
Signs of Damage
After cleaning your gutters, take a look that you don’t have any loose screws, leaks, or uneven sections. Here are some additional signs you might have gutter damage:
- Breaks or Cracks – Obvious leaks are no good. Big or small, they are rendering the gutter useless. So, look for the obvious, and not so obvious cracks in your gutters.
- Stress on the Seams – This can cause separation and leaks. Specifically, it is most common where two horizontal sections meet and can look like it is sagging.
- Peeling Paint – If you have siding bubbling or paint peeling away, that can be from excess moisture from damaged gutters.
- Wood Rot – If water goes down the side of the home instead of the gutter, this can also cause mold or rot on the exterior wood trim.
- Pools of Water – Notice any mildew or water pooling at your foundation? This could indicate a gutter issue. (And cause foundation issues.)
So, what do you do if you see any of these signs of damage? Well, you have two options: repair or replace. Most minor cracks or even stress on seams can be repaired. However, when you find larger issues, like pooling, siding damage, or foundation damage, this may mean you need to replace gutters around your home.
Maintenance Saves $$
Some damage is obvious like this, but don’t wait until it gets this bad!
Keep in mind, winter brings rain, ice, and snow. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure your gutters can stand up to the weather. Even minor issues can worsen with the weight of the winter weather (say that 5 times fast!). In addition, taking the time to do maintenance and minor repairs can save you money in the long run. Without regular maintenance, your gutters can lead to a leaky roof, interior and exterior damage to your home, and a breeding ground for mold.
As if the water damage wasn’t expensive and gross enough, not cleaning your gutters can be a great home for small rodents and bugs! Lovely… not. This alone can lead to rodents infecting ticks, or fleas. Thus, resulting in compromised safety of your family and furry friends.
Moral of the story? It’s cheaper to clean and repair minor issues. If you are unable, don’t have the time, or don’t have the expertise, contact a professional (Hint, hint: Us!).
Don’t Ignore the Signs
Overall, the worst you can do is to do nothing at all. On top of cleaning your gutters and inspecting them, also consider looking at your trees. As leaves fall more this season, consider trimming them back from the house. You may also want to install gutter guards, although not all are convenient. So, be sure to consult a professional on type and installation. While it is tempting to wait a year until you have more money to replace your damaged gutters, ultimately that could make it more expensive.
If you aren’t sure, give us a call. 7th State Builders can guarantee the professional installation of new gutters and/or repairs of any damaged gutters. Make sure the rainwater flows away from your house by contacting us today.
