Your gutters may seem like a small exterior detail that you don’t often think about—but when they don’t work as they should, they can put your home at risk of serious moisture damage. The good news is, if you’re paying attention, you can spot drainage issues quickly.
Keep your eye out for these 10 signs that you may need new gutters, so you can address them promptly.
10 Reasons to Replace Your Gutters Now
Walk around your home and take a close look at your entire drainage system. If you see these signs, it may be time to call a gutter replacement team (like ours!).
- Cracks or Splits
- Constant Overflowing
- Sagging or Detached
- Storm Damage
- Outdated Drainage System
- Rust and Corrosion
- Peeling Paint
- Water Streaks and Stains on Siding
- Soil Erosion or Standing Water
- Foundation Damage
Gutters can only carry water successfully away from your home if they are fully intact. If you see cracks or fractures—or if they leak in spots—that means they can’t properly drain water without leaking. And where the leaks happen, you can incur moisture damage that harms your siding, foundation, and more. It’s best to fix these issues quickly, because small breaks will just expand and get worse over time.
When your gutter system is functioning well, you won’t even notice the water draining away from your home because it will happen so smoothly. So, it’s not a good sign if they are overflowing like a waterfall. You’ll need to check for blockages first, but if the problem continues, it means your gutters are loose, improperly sloped, or possibly damaged and in need of replacement.
To encourage water to flow down off your roof and away from your home’s foundation, your drainage system must be carefully aligned. If they are detached, loose, sagging, bowing, or showing gaps, water won’t travel well. These issues could be related to a variety of issues, such as heavy debris, errors made during installation, or rotted siding and fascia. But since this type of damage means moisture can attack your roof, exterior, and foundation, your gutters need to be either repaired if the issue is minor or replaced if the issue is due to aging or lasting damage.
After a strong storm passes, check your drainage system to confirm it is intact. Wind, heavy rains, hail, and fallen tree branches can cause cracks or dislodge gutters from your exterior. Small issues may be repairable, but consult with a gutter specialist. If you’ve incurred roof damage as well, gutter replacement may be the best option to ensure full protection.
Aging gutters can certainly affect your home’s appearance, but it is important to remember that they can also cause moisture damage. As they grow old, they weaken and don’t allow moisture to drain well. New gutters come in many styles that are designed to both beautify your exterior and perform better. Updating to modern replacement gutters in a larger size, along with gutter guards, makes it easier to handle torrential rainfall and prevent clogging debris.
To perform at their best, gutters should not only carry water—they should also repel water. If you notice rusty features, corroded spots, or related issues such as rusted nails, it means your gutters’ protective coating has worn away through age or damage. It’s nearly impossible to repair this problem—instead, choose replacement.
Like rust, if you see that your gutters have begun to peel, it means their coat of paint can no longer protect them from the effects of constant exposure to moisture and the weather. This leaves the underlayer of your gutters exposed to damage, making rust and corrosion more likely to happen. This issue occurs as your drainage system is reaching the end of its lifespan.
Another visible piece of evidence that your gutters are underperforming is seeing water marks on your siding, which means water is leaking from them. This can manifest as discolored spots on your siding and fascia. Have your drainage system inspected to look for damage.
When gutters stop functioning as they should, the result can leave rainwater pooled around your foundation, which can erode nearby soil. There are a few different causes of this problem. First, check that downspouts are correctly aligned, and then look for and clear any debris and clogs. After this, if standing water still occurs, the problem is likely due to compromised gutters. Repair or replace them quickly to prevent issues from compounding.
Improper drainage winds up pooling around your foundation—and over time, this problem continues to worsen if it is not addressed. In fact, the chief reason to have working gutters is to prevent structural damage. If the other signs of faulty gutters go unnoticed or untended, you will eventually see cracks in your walls, doors, and windows that don’t fit in their frames, and the other signs of a shifted or cracked foundation. Have your drainage system checked at the same time you address foundation concerns so you can properly prevent future moisture damage.
Protect Your Home from Damaging Moisture with a Beautiful, Modern New Gutter System
Gutters may be one of the most overlooked elements to protecting your home exterior—but they shouldn’t be, because they’re so crucial to stopping moisture damage in its tracks. Now that you know the telltale signs of problems, it’s time for the next steps.
Have your gutter system inspected—and if replacement is needed, call on our professional team at John McCarter Construction to assess your needs, offer guidance, and do a smooth, careful installation. Contact us for a free consultation and estimate on beautiful replacement gutters to safeguard your property.
