Gutters are one of the most important parts of your home. Their job is to direct the water away from the other areas of your home that are at risk of water damage, including the walls, windows and foundation. Even if you are diligent in cleaning the gutters at least once each year, over time, they will need to be replaced. Here are four signs that it’s time to replace the gutters.

Sagging and Leaking

Sagging gutters is often one of the obvious signs that it’s time to replace them. The gutters on your home should never pull away from the house. This is an indication that the gutters aren’t draining correctly, so the water is sitting in the gutter and the excess weight is causing the gutter to pull away from the house.

Splitting or Cracking

If you notice any signs of splitting or cracking in the gutters, it’s time to replace them right away. Even the smallest cracks will eventually develop into large problems. Small cracks can allow enough water to leak through and cause significant water damage to your home, including loosening roof shingles and damaging the foundation.

Pools of Water and Mildew

The primary purpose of the gutters is to keep the water flowing away from the foundation. If you notice mildew or pools of water below the windows or along the foundation, it means the gutters aren't working like they are supposed. However, they may just have a clog and a good cleaning will take care of the problem. If you continue to notice pooling water after cleaning the gutters, they should be replaced as soon as possible.

Peeling Paint or Rust

If you notice that the paint is peeling on or around the gutters, it typically means that water is pooling in that area. So, unless the paint is merely peeling as a result of being old paint, it’s probably time to replace the gutters, especially if you notice signs of rust as well. Orange flecks in or around the gutters is a sign of rust, which generally only occurs if the water has been standing for a long period. Standing water is a sign that the gutter system isn’t draining correctly.

Once the gutter system has been repaired or replaced, the goal is to make them last for at least another 20 years, which means regular maintenance. It is important to clean the gutters every spring and fall, especially before heavy rain seasons, by removing all leaves and branches that can clog the gutter system. Replace missing or damaged hardware right away to prevent further damages. Routine maintenance will allow you to catch problems while they are still small so that you can prevent more serious problems later.

Contact us at Wayne Overhead Door Sales and Home Improvement to schedule a gutter inspection or to learn more information about gutter protection systems.