Do You Need New Gutters? Understanding Signs of Gutter Damage
Learn more about the signs of gutter damage, including sagging, loose components, interior water damage, and more, in this article.
Learn more about the signs of gutter damage, including sagging, loose components, interior water damage, and more, in this article.
The lifespan of gutters depends on several factors, including the material they’re made from, how they’re designed, how well they’re maintained and installed, and your climate. For example, seamless gutters tend to outlast traditional (seamed) gutters simply because they are designed without seams, which can weaken over time and cause leaks. Additionally, traditional gutters are sometimes inadequately installed with cheaper bar-style brackets or spike and ferrule hangers, which can become damaged over time and reduce the lifespan of gutter systems.
As a homeowner, you’ve likely inherited the gutters you currently have, which means you need to focus more on their overall condition rather than try to determine their age.
We recommend inspecting your gutters twice a year and after any significant rainfall to evaluate overall condition. When performing your inspections, look out for the following signs of gutter damage:
If your gutters sustain damage, they won’t work as effectively as they should. It’s usually easy to spot signs of gutter damage since cracks, splits, rusting, and holes tend to be easy to see from ground level. In some cases, your gutters may only need to be repaired with sealant or a few screws.
In addition to visible signs like cracks and splits, look out for leaks. One of the best things you can do to validate that your gutters are still working well is to step outside with an umbrella when it’s raining and check things out. Check your downspouts as well and make sure that water is funneling through the system as it should—these commonly are blocked from above.
Gutters are installed to be snug with the roofline so they can adequately capture water runoff. However, over time, debris, leaves, roof shingle granules, and more may accumulate in the gutters, adding weight to it. If there’s too much weight in the system, it’s likely to sag or pull away from the roofline, which can impact the gutter system’s ability to capture water and do its job. Gutters that are sagging or pulling away may be repaired with a thorough cleaning and reinstallation. If there’s too much damage, replacement is the best option.
As mentioned earlier, how gutter systems are installed will impact their lifespan. There are several ways to install gutters:
Gutters should channel water through the system so that it’s discharged safely away from the property via downspouts. In other words, if water is pooling up in the gutters and spilling out over the top, that’s a problem, and it can lead to more significant water intrusion and damage if it’s not corrected promptly. Overflowing gutters are normally a sign of clogs near the downspout connections. If they’re not resolved promptly, they may result in significant property damage and water intrusion.
A rotting fascia or soffit is often the result of improperly installed gutters. If this occurs, it likely means that property owners need to not only have the gutter system addressed but also have the soffit and fascia replaced as well. The soffit and fascia essentially serve as the point of installation for the gutters. If they’re compromised, the entire gutter system is compromised.
If you’ve noticed leaks or pooling water in your basement or lower levels of your home, you need to schedule a professional inspection. Interior water damage occurs when too much water or moisture builds up around the foundation of the home. The water has to go somewhere, so, eventually, it will enter the property. While you could be experiencing foundation issues that make your home more susceptible to water intrusion, an inefficient gutter system is likely part of the problem.
Have you noticed any of these signs? If so, there is a chance you’ll need to replace or at least repair your gutters soon. It’s important that you act quickly and not put this off because gutters play a crucial role in capturing rain and snow melt from your roof and dispersing it away from your property, preventing watering intrusion and subsequent water damage.
If you’re not sure if your gutters need to be replaced, contact L&S Home Improvements today to schedule a free inspection. We’re proud to provide reliable seamless gutter installation services to homeowners across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, MI. You can visit our website to learn more about our past projects and service capabilities.
