Simple, yet vital, gutters play an essential role of directing water away from your exterior walls and foundation, preventing water damage to your home. While regular maintenance of your gutter system will help your gutter system serve you for a long period, they will eventually need to be replaced to help protect your home. As a homeowner, you should be aware of home-exterior concerns that can be put aside to be addressed when the budget allows and those that require to be handled immediately.

Gutter replacement is one of the home renovations that you should never wait because the problems that affect gutters tend to worsen with time, leading to more damage. Postponing gutter replacement may cause damage to your roof, landscaping and the foundation of your home. Here are five signs to help you determine when it’s time to replace the gutter system of your home.

Cracks and Splits

Check your gutter system for cracks or splits as you perform your regular cleaning. While small cracks may not seem to be a big issue, they usually turn into big ones with time. You can use a sealant or little flashing to fix small cracks but if the cracks are many in number, you should consider installing new gutters. If you ignore the cracks, water can damage the gutters, the shingles above them as well as the foundation of your home.

Peeling Paint

Inspect your home exterior under the gutter system. Any signs of discoloration or peeling of the paint may need your immediate attention. Peeling paint is an indication of water leakage from cracks or splits on your gutter system. Don’t take any chances with you investment. Replacing your gutter system will help you avoid water damage in your home.

Sagging Gutters

Sagging is one of the signs you can easily notice on your gutters because you don’t need a ladder for you to check it. Normally, gutters should not be sagging on your home’s exterior. When gutters start to pull away from the edge of your roof, it could be due to additional weight from trapped water and debris. Repairing sagging gutters may be both time consuming and costly. You should consider replacing your gutters if they are sagging.  

Water and Mildew in the Basement

Whenever gutters fail to do their job efficiently, water will find its way into the basement. Water leakage and mildew in the basement can be a sign that your gutters are unable to draw water away from your house. Besides being smelly, mildew can also impact the health of your household. If you find out that your gutters are not channeling the water away from your home, consider replacing them immediately.

Orange Areas or Rust

Gutters are made from different materials. The gutters made of galvanized steel may start rusting when the protective coating peels off. Check for any signs of rust or orange coloring around your gutter system. If your system has any signs of rust, it could be because of water damage and therefore it could imperative for you to replace it.