Indications Your Gutters Are in Need of Repair or to be Replaced
After one of Maine’s rainstorms you will see water collecting at the foundation? Or have your gutters taken to sagging and dripping, even pulling from the roofline? Then again, when did you last put in the time to look up and see for yourself?
In 25 years of putting our services at the disposal of Maine homeowners, Home Roofing Solutions has seen that gutters are an all too easily neglected element of a well run home. For any concerns with your own, we can be reached at (207) 489-2904.
There is no fanfare to what gutters do; they are there to get rainwater and snowmelt off your roof and away from the siding and foundation. Yet if they are not doing their job, it does not take long for costly damage to set in. The good news is they will tell you when they are about to give out, provided you are aware of the signs.
Water in Unwanted Places
You cannot miss it when water is where it ought not to be. Clogged or cracked gutters, or ones with the wrong slope, will let the rain run over the edge and down your walls.
Some things to watch for on the property:
- Rain spilling over the gutter
- Standing water by the foundation
- Erosion in the landscaping beds under the eaves
- Stains running down the siding
- Dampness or a leak in the basement or crawlspace
- Paint peeling right under the gutter
These are indications the water is not being diverted as it should. In Maine with the freeze and thaw you have to contend with, a pool of water can become something of an issue before you know it.
Sagging and Leaning
Your gutters should be level and secure to the fascia board. When you see them sagging in the middle or coming away from the house, there is an issue. Debris or ice and water they can not drain will put weight on them and cause this.
The trouble is a sag in one spot puts the rest of the system under stress. You will find the fasteners go loose, the slope is altered and water collects rather than runs off. If there is daylight between the roofline and your gutter, or the whole thing seems to be dipping, have a good look at it.
Rust, Cracks and the Like
A rust spot or a small crack is nothing to write home about until it is. Water will exploit any weakness and make it worse. Check the seams and joints first, they are prone to failure.
Be on the lookout for:
- Splits or cracks, at the seams in particular
- Orange staining or rust on the metal
- Any flaking paint in the vicinity of the gutters
- Holes through which water makes its way
- Gaps in the connected sections
An isolated problem can be mended but if the damage is pervasive, replacing the system is the more sensible option in the long run.
Problems at the Foundation
Many a homeowner does not make the connection. The most severe damage from gutters is often some distance from the source. Water left to itself will make its way to the foundation and with it come moisture issues, shifting and cracks.
Should you find mildew in the basement, or soil that remains sodgy well after the rain is done, or new foundation cracks, it could well be your gutters. It is best to be proactive about them.
To Repair or to Replace?
One might ask how to tell if a repair is sufficient. As a general rule, so long as the rest of the system is in order and the trouble is confined to one spot, a repair is in order. But for old and worn out gutters with leaks and rust in more than one place, you will be better off with a replacement and the money and aggravation it will save.
Then again, it comes down to the state of your particular gutters and a professional opinion is worth having.
We are a family and veteran run operation and have been of service to the people of Maine, Portland and Augusta to the coastal islands, Bangor and Houlton included. Home Roofing Solutions provides free estimates and stands behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We are here from 7:00am till 9:00pm. See any of the above warning signs? Call (207) 489-2904 and we will put you in a position to safeguard your home.
