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Gutterman of TN's Blog

How to Tell If Your Gutters Need to Be Replaced

Gutters are essential in keeping your home safe from water damage. Bad gutters can cost you thousands in repairs. If you’re not a gutter expert, though, how can you tell if your gutters are due to be replaced? Here are some signs that your home needs new gutters.

Cracks, holes or gaps in the gutters
An obvious sign that your gutters need to be replaced are cracks, holes or gaps of any kind in your gutters. Cracks, holes and gaps in your gutters allow water to flow down against your home and land near your home’s foundation. In a heavy rainstorm or heavy snowmelt, they could lead to basement flooding or even foundation damage. If you see cracks, holes or gaps in the gutter in even a minor degree, your gutters should be replaced to keep your home safe from water damage.

Discoloration or paint damage on your gutterhand clearing out dirty gutters
Even if cracks, gaps or holes aren’t clearly visible on your gutters, your gutters might show you other signs that water is leaking through and that they are no longer holding all of the water that flows off your roof. Signs that water is seeping through the gutters include paint peeling off of the gutters or rust or discoloration on the gutters. Pay close attention to seams and joints on the gutters, where leaks are likely to develop first.

Sagging gutters
Your gutters should form a tight, clean line along your roof to ensure that water is flowing directly into, and not around or under, the gutters. Sagging gutters indicate that your gutters are due to be replaced or repaired.

Water damage on your home’s exterior
Your gutters might look like they are in good repair, but your home’s exterior might be showing you signs that gutters aren’t doing their job of keeping water away from your home. Check your soffit, siding, wood trim, paint, doorways and windows for signs of water damage, including bubbling, peeling paint, rotten wood, mildew or discoloration. These are all signs that your gutters are failing and allowing water to damage your home, and waiting to replace gutters can result in serious home damage.

Puddles of water around the home
Take a walk around your home after it rains. Do you see puddles forming around your home’s foundation? Where puddles have formed, look up to see if gutters are leaking, sagging or failing. If gutters are allowing water to access your home’s foundation, your home is at risk of major damage.

Moisture or mildew in the basement
Signs of gutter failure don’t just happen around your home’s exterior; you also should take a look at your basement. If gutters are failing and allowing water to access your home’s foundation, your basement very likely will show you signs of water collecting around its exterior. If your basement is damper than normal, if you see mildew or discoloration along the walls or ceiling or if your basement floods when it rains, it’s time to have your gutters evaluated by a professional.

Don’t let failing gutters allow water to damage your home! If you see signs that your gutters need to be replaced, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule an inspection and consultation today!

 

Check out our specialty gutters!

Gutters keep your home safe from water damage, from your foundation to your overhangs. They can even keep your basement from flooding and landscaping from washing away. But did you know that when it comes to choosing gutters for your home, you have lot of options? Whether you’re looking for an architectural upgrade or your home has special drainage considerations, check out the specialty gutters from The Gutterman of TN!

Seamless gutters & Copper gutters

modern homeTraditional gutters feature joints and seams where different sections of gutters come together. Not only are these joints unsightly, but they can cause even more problems over time. As your gutters age, they develop leaks as the joints break down. Save yourself from this headache with seamless gutters!

For another low-maintenance option, that’s also beautiful and will weather the elements without breaking down, you should consider copper gutters. Copper is among the most durable materials. It also won’t corrode and develop leaks over time. On top of that, copper is beautiful. It begins as a beautiful metallic orange and fades to a lovely green patina. Copper gutters are a popular choice for the home that has historical or high-end looks.

Galvalume gutters & Half-round gutters

Galvalume gutters offer the durability of copper gutters at a lower price. Galvalume gutters are made from aluminum, stainless steel, and zinc. They won’t rust or corrode and will last for decades. Galvalume gutters are a matte steel gray that provides a sleek, modern look to any home.

Half-round gutters offer an unique shape. As the name suggests, they are a half-pipe shape. Because this was one of the earlier gutter shapes, they are often used on historic homes or to give them a traditional look. At The Gutterman of TN, we offer 6-inch half-round gutters. However, while these gutters protect most homes from rooftop water runoff, half-round gutters are not the best option for homes whose roofs generate high amounts of runoff.

Box gutters

Another unusual gutter shape is the box gutters. Box gutters are square in shape, and they are installed under the roof’s overhang. While these gutters are common on industrial buildings, they are a popular option for homeowners who want low-profile gutters that blend in with the roofline. Because they are difficult to spot from a distance, box gutters are a popular choice for modern homes.

Gutters are a necessity for your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to choose run-of-the-mill gutters! Whether you are looking for increased durability or looking to add architectural interest to your home, specialty gutters is right for you. Call The Gutterman of TN to schedule a consultation today to learn all about our specialty gutters!