Gutters are a crucial part of the exterior of your home: They direct water away from your home’s exterior walls, windows, and foundation, preventing it from making its way inside and causing damage. While cleaning your gutters regularly may lengthen the life of your system, most gutters will need to be repaired or replaced eventually to help protect your home.
Look for these top three signs to determine if it’s time for gutter replacement in St. Louis, MO:
Cracks or Splits of Any Kind
You may feel that small cracks in your gutters are not a big issue, but small cracks will grow into big ones and it can happen faster than you think. If you allow cracks to remain, water can further damage the gutters, the fascia boards behind the gutters, the shingles above the gutter, and the foundation below.
Paint Peeling On or Around Your Gutters
Unless your gutters are very old, peeling paint or orange flecks of rust are indicators that you may need gutter replacement because water is present on a continuous basis. Water may be stagnant or not effectively removed by the gutter or cracks, and other damage may be present.
Pools of Water or Mildew Around Your Home’s Foundation
The purpose of having gutters is to keep water away from your foundation. If you notice pools of water or mildew near the foundation, it may mean that the gutters are not working as intended. It may be caused by a clog or a defect in the gutter system, but without gutter replacement, it can easily cause foundation damage leading to costly, time-consuming repairs.
