In This Article, You Will Learn:
1. Why is it Important to Maintain Your Gutters?
2. 12 Warnings Signs That Lead to Gutter Replacement
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Gutter maintenance is an integral part of maintaining a safe and reliable roof.
By safely directing water away from your property, your gutters are responsible for protecting your roofing system, structural foundation and landscaping from the risk of water damage, deterioration and more!
As your gutters reach the end of their peak life performance, it’s essential that Canadian homeowners understand the importance of replacing them as soon as possible.
At T. Simpson Roofing, we pride ourselves on helping our clients get the most out of their roofing investments.
To best protect your home, the following article will further explain the importance of maintaining safe and reliable gutters, as well as the top 12 warning signs that lead to gutter replacements:
Why is it Important to Maintain Your Gutters?
Often made from galvanized steel or aluminum, home guttering systems are much stronger than they appear; often lasting up to two decades with proper maintenance.
Unfortunately, these long-lasting materials are no match for spontaneous damage such as fallen trees, weather damage, debris and/or denting from ladder use.
As damaged gutters are unable to protect your property as expected, we highly recommend that homeowners create a habit of inspecting their roofing systems each Spring and Fall season to catch any problems before they get worse.
While small, manageable problems are easy to maintain, they often grow (quite quickly) into larger, more costly repair expenses that could have been avoided.
To help you determine if your residential gutters are in need of a replacement, here are 12 warning signs to watch out for during your next roof inspection:
12 Warning Signs That Lead to Gutter Replacement
1. Damage, Cracks or Splits:
Although a small crack or split may not seem like a threat at first, these cracks will erode over time; allowing water to seep behind the gutters and cause damage to the foundation below.
As the cold Canadian winters can cause ice to widen these cracks, it is very important to inspect your gutters for any damage twice a year.
2. Broken Fasteners:
Available in a number of materials, fasteners are responsible for holding your gutters to your roof and keeping it level.
While a few missing fasteners can be easily replaced, a number of broken fasteners may be best to replace before further problems can develop.
3. Loose Nails or Screws on the Ground:
Finding a few nails or screws scattered around your property is no cause for immediate panic, however if you are noticing them quite often it could be a sign that your gutter system is wearing down.
As deterioration increases the risk of water damage, it may be time to replace your gutters.
4. Peeling Paint:
While peeling paint may be unsightly to look at, finding it on your gutters could be an indication of a much more serious problem.
As gutter systems are often coated to increase weather and water resistance, the presence of peeling paint on your gutters could indicate that water has seeped beneath the surface, increasing the likelihood of rust and/or moisture damage beneath.
5. Orange Rust Marks:
When inspecting your gutters, keep an eye out for any traces of red or orange rust marks.
As rust spots can quickly turn into holes, it is important to replace your gutters before they allow rainwater to seep into other areas of the home.
6. Mold, Mildew & Rotting:
As gutter systems are designed to move water off and away from your property, the presence of any mold, mildew, algae or rotting could be a clear indication that something is not functioning properly.
While this could be a simple clog caused by leaves and debris, we recommend working with a trusted roofing professional to help determine if a gutter replacement is necessary.
7. Water Damage or Water Marks:
The best way to inspect for water damage is by cleaning your gutters on a dry, sunny day.
If you notice any water marks directly beneath them, it may be a clear indication that your gutters are leaking, overflowing and need to be replaced.
8. Pooling Water:
Evidence of pooling water is a major red flag to the safety and performance of your home.
As gutter systems are designed to remove stagnant water from pooling on your roof, it is important to replace your gutters as soon as possible to avoid further water damage, mold problems or collapsing under the water weight.
9. Channels of Dirt:
Take a walk around the perimeter of your home – does dirt seem to be washed away directly below your gutters?
As clogged gutters may cause pooling water to overflow to the ground, it is important to either clean, repair or replace your gutters (as needed) to avoid the risk of water damage reaching your home’s foundation.
10. Basement Flooding:
While often overlooked, flooded basements are often caused by gutter problems that have failed to redirect water away from the home.
As an excess of water can seep its way into the foundation of your basement (especially after a rainstorm), it is very important to replace your gutter system before further damage can take place.
11. Eroded Landscaping:
A heartbreaking sight to the common landscaping enthusiast, an inefficient gutter system can cause a number of problems both in and around your home.
While an overflow of water can damage your garden efforts, the risk of flooding and foundation damage can become much worse (and expensive to repair) if left unresolved.
12. Sagging Gutters:
One of the most obvious red flags on our list, it is hard to deny that sagging gutters may not be functioning as efficiently as they should.
Typically, gutters sag when they are too heavy (or full of water), causing them to pull away from the property and disrupt the flow of water from safely leaving your roof.
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As functioning gutters are critical to the integrity, safety and longevity of your home, be sure to take notice of any signs that may disrupt their ability to perform.
If you are interested in learning more about your gutter replacement options, our team at T. Simpson Roofing Ltd. are always happy to help!
Feel free to click here or call 1-800-925-3044 for more information.
