Benefits to Gutter Replacement
Article by Matthew Kerridge
Leaking, plugged, and gutters in similar states of disrepair, can be the cause or source of numerous forms of related damage to a home, business, or similar structure. Gutters might not be the first area that comes to mind when considering issues that can lead to severe damage to a structure. However, there are a host of issues that can present themselves if older gutters are not replaced when warning signs arise.
The difficulty in knowing when it is time to replace gutters is that when they are used the most, you are typically inside and out of the rain, keeping your from inspecting their performance. If you aren’t particularly thrilled with the prospects of venturing outside during a heavy downpour, there are other ways to determine if your gutters need to be replaced. While a firsthand inspection is obviously the preferred method of detecting issues, there are plenty of other warning signs for which you should look to determine if your home or structure might be in need of reguttering. Some of the more common indicators of aging or malfunctioning gutters include:
* Sagging or bowing of the gutter itself* Gutters pulling away from roofline/brackets* Pooling or puddles of water in spots under or around gutters* Rusted or rotted spots on or around guttered areas* Home flooding/seepage* Exterior paint damage* Siding and trim damage* Lack of water flow from downspouts
These issues can become apparent gradually over time or seemingly overnight due to these areas often not being observed or inspected on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the residual damage they create can appear in much the same way. The downside to gutter issues, is that unlike an appliance or vehicle that makes noise, rattles, or just up and dies one day, the deterioration of gutters is often a slow and gradual decline that can occur over years, even decades. This means that during this time, the effects of a malfunctioning gutter can slowly be taking a toll on other areas of a structure as well without you ever knowing it. A few of the major, more costly issues a breakdown in your gutter system can cause include:
* Siding/trim damage* Wood rot* Peeling/flaking/missing exterior paint* Termite or similar bug infestations from rotting wood* Seepage into a structure causing interior damage, flooding, foundation weakening* Seepage into a neighboring structure* Mold/mildew issues* Standing water in yard/driveway
By replacing guttering on a home, these types of issues can largely be avoided. Not only can the costs involved with these types of repairs be significantly higher than the cost of reguttering a home, but they can result in numerous headaches when it comes to the time involved in dealing with cleanup and repairs. By reguttering a structure before these types of issue present themselves, you can ensure peace of mind when leaving your home for an extended period or when weathering torrential downpours. The great thing about reguttering however, is that it not only decreases the chance of costly damage occurring, but it will likely increase the overall value of your home or business, not to mention adding curb appeal.
