Gutters are an essential part of your home. They protect your roof, foundation, siding, and even landscaping from water damage. While gutters are long-lived, they do not last forever. So how do you know when it’s time to have new gutters installed on your Missouri home? Here are three key signs to look for.
The Gutters Are Pulling Away
Gutters need to be nudged against the fascia to collect water effectively. Over time, the fasteners holding them in place can break, causing the gutters to pull away or sag. Once they’re displaced, they will no longer catch water properly. Some of the water will instead run off behind them. This can cause streaks on the siding and water damage to your landscaping.
If your gutters appear to be pulling away from the side of your home or are sagging down beneath the roof’s edge, they need to be replaced soon.
The Gutters Consistently Overflow
If your gutters are overflowing, they might just need to be cleaned out. If you’re comfortable on a ladder, you can do this yourself. Put on some rubber gloves, and pull the gunk out of the gutters. You can use a gardening trowel if you’d rather. Once the bulk of the grime is out, use water to rinse the remaining debris out of the gutters.
After you clean your gutters, pay attention the next time it rains. If the gutters are still overflowing post-cleaning, they may need to be replaced.
The Gutters Are Rusting or Developing Holes
Steel gutters are coated to prevent rusting, but this coating eventually wears away. At this point, the gutters will start to develop holes and leaks. Aluminum gutters can also corrode and develop holes over time.
Gutters with holes can no longer do an excellent job protecting your home. The water that falls through the holes can damage the landscaping below, and it can cause rusty streaks on your siding. While some holes can be patched, it’s usually easier to replace gutters that have this much damage.
Make sure you keep an eye on your gutters so you can replace them when they start to break down. If you’re looking for a company to replace your gutters, contact Bill West Roofing in Lee’s Summit, MO. Our professional contractors install high-quality, seamless gutters throughout the Greater Kansas City Area.
