Home repairs are usually annoying, especially ones that have cost implications. Homeowners frown at the thought of having to pay someone to fix little issues at home. Well, where gutters are concerned, it would be best to keep your eyes peeled and take immediate action if you want to avoid coughing out hefty amounts of money to fix issues that could have been avoided. Gutters come in handy when it comes to channelling rainwater away from unwanted areas such as a beautiful landscape, verandah or flowerbed. Replacing gutters could be the best decision for you. Not doing so would most definitely lead you to do more repairs not only on the gutters but also on other things that may have been damaged by the rainwater.
Signs to Watch for
Paint peeling off
Peeling-off paint may be dismissed as just regular wear and tear. But for some gutters, this could mean that the gutters are calling for attention — they need to be replaced! Same gutters have to be coated with a protective layer to prevent rusting. The orange colour on the gutters is an indicator that the gutter is being damaged by moisture and need to be replaced.
Splits and cracks
As you regularly clean the gutters, it is advisable to examine the gutters for splits or cracks closely. Remember that no crack is too small to be ignored. It is recommended that you try to fill the little cracks as they may soon grow to become significant. This happens mostly in areas with freezing temperatures as water in the cracks freezes and expands the crack.
Sagging gutters
Sagging gutters is a sure sign that they need to be replaced. Gutters often sag and pull away from the house, mostly due to weight. It could also be because of the high impact from a force such as strong winds or an indication that they are carrying more weight than they should. If the gutters sag, then it means that they are not functioning correctly and they need replacement.
Mildew around the foundation
As mentioned, gutters protect your house by redirecting rainwater from your house — especially from the house foundation. Any signs of water around the home's foundation should be treated as important. Water puddles around the house foundation can compromise the integrity of the house structure over time. It is, therefore, prudent that the gutters are replaced to prevent more water from gathering there.
Eroded landscape
You probably spend a considerable amount of money and time to make the landscape look beautiful. If you have to invest more time and money to repair the landscape due to water from malfunctioning gutters, it is probably time to get a gutter replacement.
