Tips to Know When It's Time for a Gutter Replacement

Whether bad weather, age or neglect has taken its toll, once you discover your gutters are in bad shape, the best thing to do is call a professional. But before you do, an important step to take is to find out if it is time for a gutter replacement instead of repairing them. Gutter repairs can be a quick and easy fix, but that is only possible if issues are identified in time. Here are a couple of tips to help you know when it is time for a gutter replacement.

Cracks, Separated Gutters and Splits

The weakest part of any gutter system is the seams, where two pieces of the gutter come together. If you can see pieces of the gutter breaking apart at the seams, it is an immediate indicator that you need a gutter replacement. Cracks can develop due to stress or mechanical damage if foreign objects get washed from the roof into the gutter. If ignored, those cracks might continue to expand, disrupting the flow of water in the gutter, leading to water damage around the property. 

Pools of Water and Dirt Channels Under the Gutters

A proper gutter system directs water away from the house and into the downspouts uninterrupted. However, over time, the gutter degrades, allowing water to sip through splits and cracks dripping down to the ground below.

What does the surface underneath the gutters look like? Well, if you can spot empty channels where the dirt has been washed away or pools of water settling along the edge of the house, you probably need a gutter replacement. If more water is allowed to continue spilling near the foundation of the house, it can cause serious damage to the integrity of the building. By doing a gutter replacement, you ensure that the foundation is not compromised, therefore helping you avoid other potentially costly repairs to the house.

Sagging Gutters

When gutters begin to sag, it is probably because of either of two reasons. First, the gutter drains could be clogged, causing the gutter to be too full of water. All this unprecedented weight strains the gutter, causing it to sag or deform. Second, the gutter fasteners could be worn out. This is to be expected over time, especially when the gutter is not serviced regularly.

Fasteners can easily be replaced when performing a roofing repair, but in most cases, by the time the fasteners come loose, damage to the gutter system is already irreversible. Cracks and even rust could have already developed, which would then require a full gutter replacement.

If you can identify any or all of these issues affecting your gutter system, the next step would be to identify a qualified professional to help guide your gutter replacement process. It would be tempting to go the DIY route, but that would only expose you to additional costs in case you mess up along the way.