Most homeowners don’t pay special attention to their roofs. In fact, the first time they’ve considered the qualities that make a good roof was probably when they purchased their first house. Still, it’s not a component that they tend to scrutinize until something goes wrong, like with their gutters.
Gutters do an excellent job of directing rainfall away from the house, protecting the structure from water damage and mold growth. Unfortunately, when they run into problems that require a total gutter replacement, they can put a significant dent in your wallet. For this reason, it’s crucial to contact roofing contractors once or twice a year to conduct routine maintenance on your roof and keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Here are five signs your gutters need to be replaced:
1. It’s Full of Rust, Holes, and Cracks
If you spot holes, rust, and cracks in your gutters, that’s a warning sign that your gutters need immediate attention. While you can use some sealant to fill these fissures, allowing your gutters to function a bit longer, large holes and massive rust spots call for a complete replacement. Trying to patch these up will cost you more in the long run and may even result in more damage to your roof. You may also want to contact a local roofing company to inspect your gutters and diagnose the situation.
2. Its Fasteners are Loose or Missing
Your gutters have fasteners that are thin pieces of metal responsible for attaching them to the roof. Even though they’re small, they do an excellent job of ensuring your gutters are at the proper height so that water flows away from your roof and house seamlessly. However, missing or loose fasteners can compromise this.
Luckily, you can use a screwdriver and some spare parts to fix the problem. Still, it’s best to leave this up to roof contractors, who can identify any underlying issues that may have led to the missing or loose fasteners in the first place.
3. It’s Missing Nails and Screws
If you start finding nails and screws littered around your yard, there’s a good chance that they all came from your gutters. These components encounter lots of water, dirt, and debris that, when coupled with wind, may cause the screws and nails to loosen and unwind. Although you can simply put them back, there may be other causes to them falling off, like damage or rust. Regardless, it’s a sure sign that your gutters need some professional maintenance.
4. It Has Gaps
Your gutter consists of various pieces affixed together to ensure the proper flow of water from one point to another, directing it away from your home to prevent it from accumulating. If any parts are separated, you’ll experience leaks that prevent water from flowing in the right direction.
Screwing the parts back together is usually enough to address the issue, but if they keep separating, you’ll want to contact roofers to inspect the problem. It’s also a sign that your gutters need to be maintained, so it’s a good idea to call a professional, anyway.
5. It’s Sagging
If lots of foliage surround your house, there are probably many leaves, twigs, and other tree debris that end up in your gutters. Unfortunately, these can build up and cause your gutter system to sag under its weight until it starts to break away from your roof. In this case, you’ll need to replace your gutters and ensure they’re in good condition before the onset of the rainy season.
Conclusion
Although gutters form a small part of your home, they do a critical job of protecting your home from water damage. By keeping an eye out for these signs, you’ll know when it’s time to call roofers to restore your gutters and keep them in excellent shape.
5 Star Roofer and Restoration is a roofing company proudly serving the Greater Birmingham Area. We provide the highest quality in residential roofing, complete roof tear-offs, and commercial flat roofing systems. Call us now to schedule your free roof inspection