Rain gutters serve a key function in protecting your home from the elements. They keep moisture and rain outside of your home and help to protect your home against mold, rot, and fungus. They can also assist in pest control around your home by preventing standing water that can breed unwanted insects.
If your gutters aren’t functioning properly, the damage to your roof, landscaping, foundation, driveway and interior walls can be disastrous. At J&J Roofing, our residential roofing experts will help you keep your home safe from all gutter damages.
We’ve put together this handy guide to help you decide if it’s time for you to get a gutter upgrade!
1. Dirty Siding
A functional gutter system should easily protect your siding against mud, rain, and other elemental fluids. When the side of your home exhibits spots of dirt, splashes, or other debris, this indicates a likely overflow problem within your guttering.
There may be a clog someplace along the line, or it may be time to replace the gutter system altogether. If left unattended, this can damage your home’s siding and detract from its appearance. It can also cause damage to your interior walls and landscaping.
2. Standing Water Near Downspouts
Standing water is one of the clearest signs that your gutters are due for an upgrade. Standing water poses a serious public health risk and is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria.
If you notice pooled or standing water near your downspout, there may be a problem with your gutter system. An abundance of mosquitoes near your home may also indicate a problem with standing water that you can’t see.
Damaged downspouts fail to deliver water where it is meant to go, away from your home. These need to be replaced immediately before causing serious damage to your home’s foundation.
3. Visibly Damaged Gutters
Take a walk around your property. If you can see visibly damaged gutters, there can be no doubt that your gutters need updating.
Damaged gutters will allow rainwater and leaves to collect along your roof or contribute to ice dams and other winter weather damage to your roof. Overflowing gutters are also a sure sign of trouble.
Look for the following:
- Sagging
- Bowing
- Holes and cracks
- Bending
4. Moldy Ceilings or Walls
If the gutter does not correctly transport water away from your house, water can pool on your roof and leak into the sheetrock of your walls. This can lead to mold and decay, which can be harmful to your health, as well as the structural integrity of your walls.
5: Gutter Connections Coming Loose
For your gutter to function properly, it needs to remain tight to your roof. When you notice that some endpoints between the roof and the gutter are getting loose, it could be a sign to call on an expert to help you with a gutter upgrade.
6. Rusty or Stained Gutters
You need to think about upgrading your gutters if they have rust spots. Rust may be a sign that the water is not draining completely. Soon enough, that rust can start to cause bigger issues for your house by causing holes in your gutters.
7. Peeling Paint
Your gutter's paint is made to resist extreme weather, so normal seasonal wear and tear shouldn't erode the paint. Therefore, if you notice that the paint on your gutter is beginning to peel off, it's time to call in a gutter contractor for a gutter upgrade.
8. Gutters Older Than 20 Years
Aluminum or galvanized steel gutters typically last up to 20 years, whereas copper gutters can last up to 50 years. Your gutters will last longer with routine maintenance, but you should be aware that Roseville's weather will shorten their lifespan.
So, if your gutters are more than 10 years old, inspect them once a month and think about replacing them as soon as aging symptoms appear.
Need Gutter Installation or Repair Near Roseville, Michigan?
At J&J Roofing, we can provide beautiful guttering systems with quality materials to increase your home’s value and add to its appearance. In addition, our gutter installation and repair professionals can assess your home’s unique needs and provide a customized system to protect your home for many years.
We have a seamless and accommodating process for all types of homes. Give us a call at 586-445-6455 or contact us to schedule your gutter upgrade and maintenance.