All this rainy weather in Northern Virginia has given us at Noble Roofing a chance to reflect on the values of a good gutter system. As we watch our gutters catch the copious rainfall and direct them away from our roof and foundation, we feel the peace of mind one has when their home is protected from the elements. We’ve already talked about what happens when gutters get clogged in previous blog posts. Cleaning gutters is part of regular maintenance and keeps a healthy gutter system in working order. But what if your gutters are on their way out? No cleaning is going to truly solve the problem long-term. Are you sure your gutters are up to the task of handling the after-effects of a tropical storm? What are the signs of a faulty gutter? Is it time to repair or replace? Here are 5 signs your gutters are going bad.
1. They are getting up in age.
The average lifespan of the typical gutter is 15-20 years. If your gutters are within this age range or older, chances are they are going bad or will in the near future. This doesn’t mean that all gutter systems older than 15 years need to be immediately replaced though. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep a high-quality gutter system running for a long time. However, it’s wise to get your gutters inspected to ensure they are working properly, especially as they go up in age.
2. Your gutters are showing visible signs of wear and tear, such as sagging, cracking, detaching, or rusting.
These signs are fairly obvious and are indicators that your gutters are on their way out. Even a non-expert can point out the flaws in your gutter system when it looks like it’s ready to fall apart. Here’s why you should heed the warning signs and replace your gutters:
Sagging gutters are more likely to clog, leak, and not work well.
Rust and cracks make way for leaks which can cause water damage to your house and foundation.
Detached gutters don’t just look bad. They won’t do anything to help your roof or foundation.
3. The gutters keep on clogging easily.
Unless you have an unusual amount of leaves and debris in your area, gutters that get clogged frequently may be losing their functionality. This can cause gutters to not direct water properly. This may be a great time to install seamless gutters that have fewer leaks and require less maintenance during its lifetime!
4. You notice water pooling around your home.
Pooled water around your home and near the downspouts is a strong indication that your gutters are going bad. The purpose of your gutters is to protect both your roof and foundation, so when water is pooling around your foundation, you can experience structural problems and mold issues. Sometimes you can inexpensively fix this problem by extending your gutters to direct the water away from your property.
5. Your home is experiencing damage.
If you are seeing leaks in your ceiling inside your home where your ceiling meets the wall, or if you’re seeing damage to your siding, faulty gutters may be in play.
Receive A Free Gutter Estimate Today
Soggy fall weather shouldn’t get you down! Make sure that your home is properly protected from the damaging natural effects by getting a high-quality, seamless gutter system. Give us a call today at (703) 404-0505 for an in-home consultation. You can also fill out our convenient online contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
