Gutters are an extremely important part of your home. They catch rainfall from your roof and let it flow into the downspouts, where it is led safely away from the vulnerable areas around your house. Without gutters, water would spill off your roof uncontrollably, which could cause water damage to your exterior walls—or worse, to your foundation.
Because you don’t want to deal with water damage any more than the next person does, it is important to keep an eye out and spot any signs that your gutters are not doing their job correctly. Here are three signs that your gutters need repair or replacement:
- Cracks- A couple of cracks in your gutters may not be a major problem initially, but over time, they can worsen, and even the smallest of drips may end up harming your fascia, roof, or foundation.
- Sagging- If your gutters look like they are sagging or pulling away from your home, this may mean that your gutters cannot handle the weight of the water. The problem could be that your gutters are too small to handle the amount of rainfall you get, or it may not be draining properly. Getting a professional to check it out can help you decide what to do.
- Fallen Hardware- Finding nails and fasteners on the ground is not a good sign for your gutters. If they can’t stay intact, how are they supposed to carry the water away from your home? Repair can be sufficient, but if you constantly find hardware on the ground, this may indicate a larger problem that requires replacement.