Do You Need New Rain Gutters?

Rain gutters are not an exterior feature that people often think about, but they play an important part in keeping your foundation dry and your roof in good condition. Rain gutters that are in poor condition can lead to roofing leaks, basement water problems, exterior soil erosion, and damage to landscaping near your house.

Rain gutters require some basic maintenance, but occasionally, no amount of repair can make up for a gutter's poor performance. Look for these signs that your rain gutters might be on their last legs — especially after a storm or a hard winter, as weather damage can be one of the main reasons why gutters fail.

Cracks and Holes

Over time, gutters can begin to wear out. During a hailstorm or even just a heavy thunderstorm, the stress from precipitation can cause fatigued areas of the gutter to split. Even a small crack in the gutter can cause water to leak out and run down the siding or leak into the soffit and fascia.

A cracked gutter portion can be replaced, but if you notice cracks forming along the entire system, simply taping or blocking the crack is only a temporary solution. Cracks will get bigger as more and more water forces its way out of the small opening. More storms can also make cracks larger.

Rust or Peeling Paint

Old metal gutters can begin to show signs of metal fatigue. Paint on a gutter helps to protect the metal from damage, but when the paint begins to peel back, the metal is exposed to water and intense sunlight. Grit from asphalt shingles can also wear down paint and then begin to etch away the metal underneath.

When you notice peeling paint, realize that it's only a matter of time before the gutter itself is too weak to perform properly. Once you notice open patches of rust, your gutter will begin to leak, and it may not be able to hold up to heavy rain or snowfall. Replacement is the best solution for any gutter when rust is causing holes or rust spots are larger than three inches.

Pooling Water

Have you ever been frustrated when, even after thoroughly cleaning out your gutters, you still find pools of water sitting near the foundation? Pooling water is a sign that somewhere along the gutter system, something is not working correctly.

This problem could be explained by something as simple as a clogged downspout, but sometimes, pooling water indicates system failure.

For example, the water might pool because the gutter has warped after a hard winter. Ice can form in the gutter, causing it to lose its shape. When spring comes, the water doesn't flow down the path — it spills over the side of the misshapen trough.

Other explanations include not having enough downspouts to deal with the water load or having gutters that are not correctly installed. Either way, this is a problem that needs to be fixed because leaving it alone will only make foundation water problems and surface erosion worse.

Sagging and Sloping

Even if your gutter is in nice shape, it won't work if the slope of the gutter itself is not right. Over time, the weight of snow or ice in the gutter can affect the correct slope, leading to water pooling in and over the gutter edge, instead of flowing to the downspout. Check the slope of your gutter each spring, and look for standing water at the end of the gutter after a rainstorm.

Usually, gutters that are sloping because of wear and tear cannot be repaired and require replacement. However, if the slope is caused by poor installation, you might be able to reinstall your gutter to fix the problem with flow.

Sagging is another sign that your gutters need to be replaced. Sagging occurs when the gutter itself breaks away from the eaves of the house, and water weight furthers the bend. In just a few weeks, a slight sag can permanently warp the shape of the eaves trough.

Water Marks

You might not catch your gutters in the act of leaking, but signs of leaks can linger long after a storm passes. After the rain has dried up, look at the undersides of your gutters to see if you notice any hard water spots, watermarks, or bubbling paint because of water pressure. A healthy gutter will have no watermarks.

Keep in mind that any sign of watermarks on your gutters should be taken seriously. When the water overflows, it can wick back underneath roof shingles and open your home up to leaks, mold, and insect infestations, especially if the roof edge is not correctly flashed.

Damage Prevention

Gutter systems can last years without the damage noted above. You can prevent gutter problems by using gutter guards, clearing out debris, and having your gutters repaired after storms. You can also prevent damage to your gutters by making sure your roof is properly ventilated, as ventilation is the greatest defense against the formation of winter ice dams.

For more information on repairing or replacing gutter systems, contact us at Colorado Western Construction.