How to know when you should replace your gutters.

Your gutters are an important part of your roofing system, which means that it’s important you keep the working properly. According to the National Associations of Homebuilder’s gutters made of steel or aluminum usually last for about 2 decades before they need to be replaced. But this isn’t taking into account issues like fallen tree limbs or damage from ladders.

If you don’t know when your gutters installed you may not know when it is time to replace them, and you definitely do not want to be relying on a guttering system that is not working properly. Here are a few signs that can tell you it’s time to replace your gutters.

Visible cracks, holes or rust spots

Small cracks or holes can be fixed using sealant and some flashing, but if there are a large number or cracks holes or rust spots you may want to opt for new gutters. Gutters cannot work properly if covered in cracks and holes so replacing them may be your best bet.

Broken Fasteners

Fasteners are pieces of metal that hold your gutters to your roofs and keep it level. If these begin to break your gutters will hang off your roof and not work properly. You may also begin to notice nails or screws on the ground which means your fasteners are either loose or broken.

Flooded Basement

If you are constantly finding water in your basement that may mean water is pooling near your foundation and leaking into you home. One of the causes of this is broken gutters. When you repair your basement you should also replace your gutters

Peeling Exterior Paint

Another sign of gutters not doing their job properly are if you notice peeling exterior paint on the side of your home. When gutters pull away from your roof the water can seep down over the edge and onto your siding. If this happens for a long enough period of time your paint will begin to peel.