There are many signs your gutters need to be replaced – and many more reasons its important to replace your gutters when it’s time to! Gutters keep your home safe from flooding, your roof safe from rotting and water damage, and are instrumental in preventing leaks in your roofing and siding. These underappreciated parts of your home’s exterior are truly one of your first lines of defense against common types of home damage.

Gutters work by forming a long channel to collect rainwater and move it out and away from your home. Water rolls off of your roof down into the channel and then continues to flow into a downspout and is deposited a safe distance from your house and foundation. Many people do not understand the importance of quality gutters as a first line of defense to protect your basement from flooding, but gutters keep water from washing away the soil near your foundation and then seeping into your basement causing damp, mildew, and even flooding.

Cracks in your gutters where they are leaking out and clearly not doing their job are a big warning sign. Your gutters are designed to take water runoff and redirect it away from your home, so if they are cracked and allowing water to just fall near your home – they need to be replaced. This is perhaps the most obvious sign your gutters are not working properly, along with separated gutters. Separated gutters are easy to spot as there will be gaps in the channel, and like cracks, also allow water to leak out of the gutter system and cause damage to your home.

Water is one of the top causes of damage to homes – whether it be storms flooding your basement, leaky roofs, or rotting drywall. Be sure to check if your gutters sag anywhere – this is another sure sign that your gutters need to be replaced. Over time gutters can pull away from the fascia they have been attached to, creating places for water to pool near the edge of your roofing structure, water spilling over the top of your gutters, and a buildup of debris.

Sagging gutters, peeling paint, obviously cracked gutters, and rusted gutters also decrease the value of your home and its curb appeal. If you are considering selling your home, installing new gutters can be an investment. Home value appraisers will be sure to check the state of your gutters, and offer you more money if your home has new and functioning gutters rather than cracked and rusty ones. Buyers will also like the look of new gutters and the peace of mind knowing they will not have to do large amounts of work on the house shortly after purchasing your house. 

The replacement and installation of gutters is trickier than it looks – and while it may be tempting to attempt it on your own, it’s really best to leave it to a trusted and professional contractor. Improper installation of gutters can cause further damage to your soffit, allow for water to build up and damage your roof, and even cause damage to your foundation and basement. New gutters must be measured and cut properly to have an exact fit that will route waater far enough away from your house that it wont affect your foundation. In addition to installing new gutters, we highly recommend adding gutter guards to decrease the amount of debris that ends up in your gutters and downspouts. 

More on gutters >> Everything You Need To Know About Gutters

Once we install your new gutters, be sure to ask our team about maintenance. We offer maintenance packages for gutters year round to keep your gutters in the best shape they can be. If you are investing in new gutters be sure to invest in their care as well to extend their lifespan!