Even though gutters are very often overlooked when it comes to maintaining your home, they are a very important feature that needs to be looked after. When gutters are not functioning in the correct way, damage can occur to walls, doors, windows or anything made out of wood. Therefore, it is time to carry out gutter replacement.
It is important to regularly check on your guttering. They generally last for years, but certain factors can shorten their lifespan.
There are certain warning signs that would indicate that you need a gutter replacement. Listed below are some of those warning signs.
1. It's Raining, It's Pouring
Gutters with cracks or splits are completely pointless. After all, the purpose of guttering is to direct the water away from your home. Small cracks or splits may not be visible until it rains. If the cracks are extremely small, they can be patched up with a sealant or some flashing. However, if they are larger cracks or splits, then it's time for replacement gutters.
2. Check The Seams
The most vulnerable area of gutters are the seams. The seams are where two sections of the gutters meet. When these seams become separated or damaged, water pours from that particular place and onto your home, which in turn defeats the object of having gutters in the first instance.
Seams can sometimes be fixed short-term, but the problem will not go away, so gutter replacement is the best option to eliminate further problems.
3. Peeling
If you see any bubbling or peeling paint on the exterior of your home, you should check your gutter directly above that area for cracks or splits. If you find various areas of peeling paint, then gutter replacement is necessary.
4. Fallen Screws
If you find screws or fasteners on the ground that may have fallen from your gutters, then check the stability of your gutters immediately, Screws can of course be replaced, but if this happens frequently, then the gutters should be replaced.
5. Basement Flooding
If your basement floods after it rains, then the likelihood is that your gutters are to blame. Your gutters should be replaced quickly, as regular flooding on your foundations can cause long-term damage to your property.
6. Check Installation
If you notice damage or leaking, then it could be from incorrect installation. The only real way to correct this problem is to carry out gutter replacement.
7. Mildew and Pooling Water
Keeping pooling water away from your foundations is the reason that buildings have guttering. Mildew and mould can be caused by standing water at your foundations. Therefore, gutter replacement is the simplest solution.
You should also remember to regularly clean your gutters to ensure that they do not become blocked with leaves and debris and that they are functioning correctly. Contact a company like ACT Gutter Service to learn more.