You can ask your trusted roofers whether it’s time to replace your gutters. They have the skill and experience to determine this. But it’s also possible for you to learn this by yourself. All you need is to look for a few red flags.
Here are the most common red flags that mean your home is due for a gutter replacement or repairs:
Rust, Holes, Cracks
Stainless steel and copper gutters don’t have a lot of problems with holes and cracks because they’re extremely durable. They never rust, either. However, if you have galvanized steel, vinyl, or other gutter materials, chances are you’ll face leak problems at some point. You can repair small leaks with sealant or perhaps flashing, but if there are leaks or rusty spots everywhere, you’ll be better off replacing the gutter.
Broken Fasteners
Fasteners hold gutters to the roofing system. It’s better to have a professional install your gutters because the fasteners should also give them the proper pitch for draining water. If some fasteners are broken, you can replace them with new fasteners. But if they keep breaking, there might be something wrong with the gutters themselves, and you should hire a pro to replace them. The same is true if nails or screws keep coming loose.
Separated Gutters
If gutters are separating from each other, they are useless in leading water to the downspouts and keeping it away from your home. This is typically a sign that your gutters need to be replaced. You should also call a pro if your gutters keep detaching from your roof, which might mean your fascia boards are rotting and can no longer hold the gutter’s weight.
Pooling Water
Water should drain quickly from your gutters to prevent problems like mold growth, overflowing, and gutters pulling away from the roofline. Normally, cleaning your gutters and downspouts would solve this problem. However, if the problem is due to improper gutter pitch, call a pro to fix the problem. And if debris keeps getting trapped, it might be because your gutters have too many seams and corners. It’s a good idea to consider replacing your gutters.
Get in touch with Homecraft Inc for gutter or roof repair. Call us at (302) 798-0302 or leave a message here. We’re available in Middletown, Newark and Bear, DE.
