When to Repair Your Gutters

Overview

Have you checked out your gutters lately? Probably not. You should, though, because they do a lot to protect your home. Gutters guide water off your roof and away from your home's foundation. When your gutters don't work properly, your foundation is at significant risk of damage.

Gutter maintenance is relatively straightforward: They should be inspected for leaks and cleared of debris at least once or twice per year. Homeowners should also keep a lookout for other indicators of problems.

Knowing When to Repair Gutters

Here are some indicators that it is a good idea to repair your gutters:

• Check your home's interior, including the basement: Is there evidence of water damage or mold? This could indicate a gutter problem.
• Are the gutters sagging or "pulling away" from your home? This is usually a problem with gutter hangers and it needs attention.
• Is the paint peeling off your home's exterior? This can be a sign that your gutters are not doing their job correctly.
• Check your landscaping. Is there erosion? This is a sign of poorly functioning gutters.

These issues will not go away on their own and ignoring them will result in further damage to your home. The worse the damage, the more the cost of repairs will be, so you can save money by acting now and calling a gutter specialist to address the problem.

Deciding to Replace Gutters

Repairing gutters is less expensive and bothersome than replacing gutters. However, there are some situations in which replacing your gutters becomes necessary.Here are some signs that your gutters need to be replaced:

• They are constantly leaking and repair attempts fail.
• Your gutters are rusted.
• Multiple fasteners are broken.
• You find standing water in your gutters. This is not how gutters are supposed to work.

If you believe that your gutters need replacing, start calling licensed contractors to provide you with estimates. Once you have some numbers to work with, and have vetted the contractors by doing some research, you can select a professional to begin the replacement process.

Final Word

As with most home systems, gutters perform best when they are well-maintained. This means inspecting and cleaning them regularly, and addressing potential red flags as soon as possible. If you do this, your gutters will continue to do their job for a long time to come