Guest Blogger: Paul Kazlov
Gutters play a crucial role in protecting your roof and walls from water damage. A functioning gutter provides excellent drainage and keeps rainwater from wreaking havoc on your beautiful home. Because excessive water is infamous for flooding basements and incurring costly structural damages, gutter maintenance is required for effective precipitation drainage and redirection. However, no matter how vigilant you are in maintaining and repairing your gutters, they will eventually need replacement. While the reason for retiring your gutters varies from case to case, if they have the following 3 signs, they are usually beyond repair:
Water Damage
The best way to determine whether your gutters are beyond repair is by observing which way the water is running. Having water marks on your roof or walls are warning signs that they may not be functioning to their fullest potential. When these signs show up, check immediately for water damage or marks beneath the them to establish the cause of the problem. In general, clogged or leaky gutters are one of the biggest causes of basement leaks and puddles in various areas of the house. To determine whether your gutters warrant a repair or replacement, check for clogging issues and other warning signs. If no clogging issue has been identified and you are finding stagnant water remaining in them, the leak may be instigated by gutter misalignment or other structural problems. In either case, replacing your gutters immediately is a smart way to avoid exposing your home to unnecessary water staining, termite infestation, and other damages.
Deterioration
As your main water drainage system, gutters are victims of severe deterioration. Homeowners who notice that their gutters are developing signs of rust should begin looking into a possible replacement. While most rain gutters and downspouts can be repaired when they are leaking or sagging, they are badly corroded with many leaks, rotting, and splitting are beyond repair. Similarly, gutters that developed gaps or warps through weather contraction will also need to be replaced to prevent excessive water from pouring over the sides and causing exterior and potential interior damages to your home.
Damaged Gutter Fasteners
If you notice that the gutters are starting to pull away from the roof because the clips or the screws are broken, you should act immediately and inspect the cause. While repair is a possible choice if the problem has been identified and addressed in its early stage, if they are already hanging down from the house or pulling apart at the seams are too worn to be reattached. Replacing your gutters by hiring a professional contractor will make sure you have a functioning gutter when the storm season rolls around.
Gutter Replacement Experts
When it comes to replacing your gutters, hiring a professional contractor not only ensures that you’ll be getting quality material, but also a proper installation. Too many of them retire before their lifetime because of improper installation. As Natural News.com reports, a great gutter installation should last you as long as 30 years if it is maintained regularly. Never settle for cheap materials and labors in the name of convenience or economy. Instead, hire a reputable contractor to get the job done, and done right.
Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Global Home Improvement blog and strives to educate people about “green” products such as metal roofing and solar. Follow him on Twitter @PaulKazlov
