11 Signs You Need New Gutters - Xterior LLC.

11 Signs You Need New Gutters

Gutters should last up to 20 years before they need to be replaced
Read Time: 4 minutes
Jun 20, 2022

Though they may not get a lot of attention, gutters play an important role in protecting your house. They direct water away from your home that could otherwise pool on your roof or the ground near your foundations. Gutters don’t last forever and will eventually need to be replaced. The following are some signs that indicate you may need new gutters.

Your Gutters Are Old

Gutters typically last up to 20 years. If your gutters are around that age or older, then you should think about replacing them with a newer model.

Your Gutters Are Pulling Away from Your House

Gutters need to be flush with your roof. If they keep separating, this could indicate rotting fascia boards. The fascia boards are strips of wood along the edge of your roof to which the gutters are affixed and they may need to be replaced if your gutters are pulling away. The gutters themselves may also need to be replaced.

Your Gutters Are Sagging

Gutters must remain parallel with your roofline. If they sag or droop, they will not be able to properly dispel water. If they’re sagging, the gutters may have warped and will need to be replaced.

You Notice Rust on Your Gutters

very old, rusty gutters with cracks on them

Rust isn’t just aesthetically displeasing, it also compromises the integrity of your gutters. Fewer small spots of rust could be repaired, but many or larger rust spots indicate that it’s time to replace your gutters.

Your Gutters Have Cracks or Holes

A few bad spots may be fixable. However, if there are many cracks or holes, you will need new gutters. Damage that is widespread across your entire gutter system can’t be repaired and is a sign that the entire guttering system needs to be replaced.

You Find Nails on the Ground

Over time, the nails and fastenings that connect the gutters to the fascia can become loose and fall out. If this happens repeatedly, the gutters are probably wearing out. This is especially true if you find nails in the same spot. It may be possible to repair the gutters, but repeated instances are a sign that replacement is necessary.

You See Mold or Mildew on Your Siding

someone cleaning mold off of the siding of a house with a sponge

If you notice mold and mildew on your siding, then that’s a sign your gutters are overflowing. It could just be a clog, but it’s also possible that your gutters are worn out and need to be replaced. If you see mold, it’s a good idea to check the condition of your gutters because there could be water damage elsewhere if the problem isn’t corrected.

There Are Gaps Between Sections of Your Gutters

Your gutters should be connected so that they form a watertight seal. If there are gaps in between sections of your gutters, then water can get through and drip down onto your house. If this happens once, then you may be able to repair it, but frequent occurrences indicate that replacement is needed.

The Paint on Your House Is Peeling

yellow paint peeling off of the side of a house

If water isn’t flowing through your gutters as it should, it may seep over the edges onto your siding. When you see peeling paint, it indicates this has been happening for a while. Peeling paint is a sign of water damage and can point to how widespread the problem is. If you see paint peeling off in one spot, then you may just need to repair your guttering. If you see paint peeling off in many locations, then you’ll need to replace your gutters.

You Find Pools of Water Under Your Gutters

When working as they should, gutters will dispense water away from your home. If you see pools of water under your gutters near your home’s foundations, then your gutters aren’t working as they should, even if there is no visible damage to them. The fact that they’re allowing water to accumulate near your house is enough to require replacement. Otherwise, water could get into your house and cause a lot of damage.

You Discover Water in Your Basement

In addition to pools in your yard, faulty gutters could lead to water in your basement. Your gutters are supposed to direct water away from your home so that this doesn’t happen. But if your gutters are damaged or worn out and it rains a lot, the amount of water that could pool near your home could leak into the basement. If you do find water in your basement, it’s a good idea to check your gutters to prevent it from happening again.

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For informational purposes only.