Gutters are important and often overlooked

Gutters are the unsung heroes of home protection. They divert water away from your house, protecting your roof, foundation, and landscaping, and when properly maintained, they are incredibly effective. However, even the sturdiest gutters will experience natural wear and tear and will eventually need to be serviced and repaired from time to time.

So how do you know when your gutters need to be serviced? To help keep you well informed we’ve compiled a list of our top five signs that your gutters need to be repaired.

1. Cracked and leaking gutters

If there are any cracks in your gutters, they are not doing their job right.  Gutters are meant to trap and divert water away from your house, and if they are leaking even a little bit, that’s a surefire sign that they need to be repaired as soon as possible. These cracks will only get worse with time, which means that all the water they catch will inevitably end up pooling at your foundation which can cause catastrophic damage over the years. Most cracks and leaks can be avoided with regular inspections and cleaning. Pay special attention to seams in your gutters and in areas where they connect to downspouts as these are the most common problem areas for most gutters and are a clear indication that repair is necessary..

2. Peeling house paint

As previously mentioned, the purpose of gutters is to divert water away from your house, keeping it safe from moisture. One of the things that gutters protect is house paint. Most exterior paint is rated to deal with a certain amount of rainwater and ambient humidity, so you know if the paint around your gutters is peeling, you’ve got a big problem on your hands. This peeling paint could indicate several different problems with your gutters. They might not be flush with your roof, they could have leaks, or they could be blocked. Most of these issues can be ameliorated by having them regularly serviced and cleaned. Any way you slice it, peeling paint means you need to have a professional come and repair them as soon as possible. 

3. Pools of standing water or mildew

If your gutters are working properly they should be completely free of water not long after it stops raining. A pool of standing water could indicate a blockage, or it could indicate that there is a larger issue with the entire system. Likewise, if mildew is growing on the inside of your gutters it means that water is not being properly drained. If you see standing water or mildew in your gutters, you should have them professionally inspected because there is a good chance they will recommend repairs.

4. Sagging gutters

In order for gutters to work properly, they need to be properly pitched. In other words, they need to be straight, and flush with your roof at a slight decline in order for gravity to do its work and move the water properly. Though this problem can largely be avoided with regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspections, sagging gutters are a huge red flag because this means that not only is that particular section not functioning properly, it could also mean that they are improperly pitched at other points along your roof. If you notice any sagging, you’ll need to have them repaired as soon as possible.

5. Water pooling at your foundation

Sometimes a defective gutter is difficult to diagnose with the naked eye. Blockages may be invisible and issues with pitching can be difficult to diagnose without the proper instruments. Perhaps the clearest indication that your gutters need to be repaired is if you see water pooling at your foundation. Keeping water away from your foundation is the gutters’ most important job, so if there is water present there is a big problem. If you see water at your foundation, your gutters will almost certainly need to be repaired.

We hope that you’ve found this article helpful. Gutters are enormously important, so if you notice any of the aforementioned issues remember that repair is usually an option, but these issues can largely be avoided through regular cleaning and inspections. Give us a call right away so that we can find a solution that works for you!