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How to Know When Your Gutters Might Need a Little Professional Help

A home’s guttering system can age and wear itself out over time. Often, you won’t even notice any issues because admittedly, most gutters, when installed properly, are going to last a really long time.

When there are issues with your gutters, often they will be small and gradual, and might not even be noticeable, unless it’s raining heavily. But just because you might not notice a problem, it doesn’t mean there isn’t one lurking.

Maintenance of your guttering system is vital to ensuring its longevity. When gutters are neglected, small problems can fester and end up becoming pretty major problems. Even the most professionally installed and high quality materials will not withstand years of neglect – remember, your gutter are exposed and working hard 24/7 – so, sooner or later, the time to replace or repair your gutters will come.

Since it’s pretty common for people to be unprepared for this or not know the signs of you’re your gutters might need a little TLC, we’ve put together some info on the things to keep an eye out for that might indicate that your gutters may have come to the end of their lifespan.

Keep reading to find out more.

Peeling Paint and Rusting around gutters and downpipes

Gutters are usually painted and coated to withstand all kinds of weather conditions.  Although paint peeling may not seem like something which could cause your gutters to fail, it is actually a sure sign that your gutters need replacing soon. The gutter’s paint protects it from all kinds of environmental hazards including rain, ice, and heat. When the paint starts to flake and peel off, rust is likely begin forming on it soon.

Rusting, or the presence of rust spots on your gutter, as well as seeing flakes of rust outside your home, would mean you’d really need to replace your gutters quite soon. Rusted spots on your gutter quickly turn into holes, and rainwater and dirt would easily seep through them towards the walls and ground of your home.

Sagging and Detached Gutters

Gutters which are slowly pulling away from your roof is never a good sign. This means that they’re either too heavy for their fasteners, that your fasteners have failed in securing your gutters to your roof, or that the building materials supporting your gutters and fasteners are rotting or too worn.

A common occurrence is gutters becoming clogged with dirt and debris, and these then fill up with water that is unable to drain properly. This then makes your gutters extremely heavy, causing the fasteners or other building support materials to fail, and ultimately, detaching your gutters from your roof completely. This could become a safety hazard for you and your family if not taken care of quickly.

Besides the buildup on your gutters, weak fasteners are also a major cause of gutter detachment. Over time, the fasteners which connect your gutters to your home can wear out. When that happens, your gutters will begin to sag and pull away from the roof. In all cases, it’s a clear sign it’s time to replace your gutters.

Cracks, Splits, and Separated Gutters

The seams where two pieces of gutter connect are the weakest points of any gutter system. If you start to see your gutters pulling apart at those locations, they could be close to the end of their lifespan.

Cracks and splits found elsewhere in the gutter structure are also signs that your gutters are wearing out. Even if you see a small crack or split, it’s worth it to start thinking about having your gutters inspected. This split might be able to be repaired. However, it is also a common sign that they might need replacing soon. These cracks and splits will only grow over time, especially when colder weather comes. If it gets cold enough for frost or ice it can seep into and expand in those cracks.

Pooling Water around the home

The ground below your gutters is a good place to check for your gutter’s health. Give a quick look at these areas, and if you notice big empty channels where dirt has been washed away, or pooling water along the edge of your house, near the foundation, it’s probably time to replace your gutters. These signs show that water is spilling over the gutter through small waterfalls, rather than running through the gutter system. It’s important to replace your gutters soon if you notice this problem, since the more water that spills over gutters and into your home’s foundation, the greater your risk of a flooded basement.

Foundation Problems

Your gutter system’s downpipes should direct water into a stormwater drain to minimise stress and water damage to your house. When downpipes develop holes, begin to overflow, or are not long enough, water may end up puddled around the base of your home. Those puddles could cause pits around your property over time, and could cause irreparable damage if left untreated. You should always remember that gutters are a part of your home which need regular maintenance and immediate replacement if they are not functioning properly, and could potentially damage many other areas of your house.

Basement, Cellar, Underground Storage Flooding

Finally, there is one of many signs that it’s time to replace gutters that not many people know about – basement or cellar flooding. Properly functioning gutters work to direct water away from the areas around your house and its foundation. When your gutters aren’t working properly anymore, water can spill over the edges of the gutter. This causes the water to seep into your home’s foundation, and if your home has a basement or any underground storage or parking areas, that water will end up down there.

If you’ve been noticing a lot of water pooling in any underground storage areas of your home when it rains, or if your home has experienced flooding recently after a storm, your gutters could actually be the source of the problem. Be sure to check for any leaks and damage to your gutter, replacing it as soon as any is found.

Call Gutterline for Professional Help

Don’t second guess or worse, wait until it’s too late. If you notice any of these signs or you don’t even know the last time someone even looked at your gutters, it’s time to give a professional a buzz. Here at Gutterline we’re here to help. If you’re in Sydney, we can help you with repairs, cleaning, replacing and installing gutters. Just give us a call on 03 8677 3373 or get in touch with us here.

Our friendly and professional team have been taking care of the gutters of Sydney for more than 20 years, so you know you’re in good hands with Gutterline.

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