Gutters are the workhorse of your roof: if they fail to channel water in the proper way, you will have problems.

The good news is that knowing when to start thinking about new gutters isn’t that hard of a task. In fact, simple routine maintenance and inspections can keep your gutters in great working order and let you know when it’s time to replace them.

Seven Signs it’s Time for New Gutters

Gutters that are in good condition are a must for any home. Here are some things to look for when you’re inspecting your gutters to see if it’s time to replace them.

Cracks

Cracks can be very obvious or they can be hidden. Get in close, and if you find a couple of cracks, you can use sealant to fix them. But if you come across a large number of holes and cracks, then it’s time to think about installing new gutters.

Gutters Pulling Away

Look closely to see how the gutters fit your roof. If there are spaces between them and your roofline, that means rainwater isn’t getting channeled. Replacing a portion or all of your gutters will fix this problem in no time.

Broken Fasteners

The fasteners are the metal pieces that connect the gutters to your roof. If your gutters are separating, this can be an easy fix by hammering them back into place. If there are many broken fasteners, or if you can get them to hold, then you’ll need to replace them altogether.

Gutters Separated from One Another

For a gutter system to function, each gutter piece needs to be connected to the next so the water moves to the downspouts. Separated gutters can lead to erosion around your foundation and even flooding. If you see any signs of separation, then it may be time to replace your gutters.

Sagging Gutters

Walk around the perimeter of your home and notice the pitch of your gutters. If there are any that aren’t level, then the water will collect in those spots. This will lead to spillover and possible flooding.

Erosion and Channels in Your Lawn

These are some of the easiest things to spot that are a tell-tale sign of bad gutters.

If you find the landscaping around your home eroded after rainstorms, then there’s a good chance that your gutters aren’t channeling the water where it needs to go. The same thing holds to water channels that appear on your lawn.

If you see any signs of erosion, then there’s a good chance you have issues with your gutter system.

Flooded Basement

Finally, if you find that water manages to seep into your basement after rain, you should check your gutters first. Bad gutters will allow water to fall straight down to the foundation of your home, causing possible water damage and seeping into your home.

If this is the case, then you’ll want to get new gutters as soon as possible.

Do You Need New Gutters?

If you find any of these problems, then you should contact a professional to help you solve your problems. Allowing bad gutters to channel water where it shouldn’t go can end up costing you a lot of money on clean up.

If you have any questions or need a consultation, please contact us today.