How to Tell if Your Home Needs New Gutters

1. How do I know when I need new gutters? Gutters are an important part of your home. They direct water away from your home’s exterior walls, windows, doors, and foundation, preventing water from making its way inside. Although cleaning your gutters several times a year will enhance the longevity of your system, most gutters will need to be repaired or replaced eventually to help protect your home. There are many ways to tell how and when you need new gutters. Many of these signs will be visible, but you will also need to break out that ladder and take a close look to tell when you need new gutters. To determine when it’s time to replace your home’s gutter system, there are several key signs to look for. 1. Cracks or splits of any kind While small cracks in your gutters may not seem like a big issue, small cracks will eventually turn into big ones and it may happen sooner than you think. If you allow cracks to remain, water can not only damage gutters further, it can damage the fascia boards behind the gutters, the shingles above the gutter and the foundation below. 2. Paint peeling on or around your gutters and/or flecks of orange The paint on your gutter is designed to withstand the typical wear and tear throughout the seasons. Unless your gutters are extremely old, peeling paint or orange flecks from the beginning stages of rust are an indicator that water is present on a continuous basis. This could indicate water is not being removed by the gutter or that cracks or other damage may be present. 3. Pools of water or signs of mildew around your home’s foundation Gutters are designed with the purpose of keeping water flowing away from your home’s foundation. If you notice pools of water or mildew near the foundation, it can indicate that the gutters are not working as intended. This could be caused by something as simple as a clog or by something as complex as a defect in the gutter system. Water can easily damage the foundation, leading to costly, time-consuming repairs. 4. Water damage or water marks directly beneath the gutters Check your gutters at least once a year on a day that’s relatively sunny and free from rain. Water damage or marks underneath the gutter indicate that water is escaping the gutter. This type of water

2. intrusion can damage your soffit and fascia board. 5. Gutters sag or have begun to pull away from the house This is one of the easiest ways to tell you need gutter repairs or gutter replacement because you don’t need to be on a ladder to notice it. Gutters should never sag or pull away from the home. This can indicate that the gutters are full of water and pulling away from the house due to the weight. A full gutter means that the gutter system may not be appropriate for the home, it’s draining improperly or debris is causing blockage. Any time you see signs that your gutters may be causing water damage; it is time to call Action Sheetmetal & Roofing. We have been specialising in quality roofing and gutter needs for more than two decades and can attend to your gutter troubles in no time at all. Call us today at 07 5636 0313 for a free quote. You can also email us at orders@actionsheetmetal.com or fill out our contact form here. Want to stay connected? Follow us on Twitter at @Actsheetmetal, on Facebook or on Pinterest for access to information on our latest projects and to keep up-to-date with sheetmetal and roofing trends. Action Sheet Metal PO Box 1183 Ashmore City, QLD 4214, Australia 0756360313 orders@actionsheetmetal.com http://www.actionsheetmetal.com