How to Tell if You Need New Gutters

Guttering is a part of the house we might not give much thought to as long as it is doing its job. However, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your gutters and look to replace them before they stop functioning properly and potentially cause serious problems to your home. We’ve put together some tips on how to tell if you need new gutters.

Gutters need regular maintenance

It is a good idea to check your gutters before and after the most challenging seasons (autumn and winter) so that they are prepared for the season ahead or any damage can be rectified before spring and summer. You should clean your gutters at least twice a year and more frequently, such as once every three months, if your house has trees that overhang your roof and lose leaves or needles regularly.

How often should you replace gutters?

On average, you should replace your gutters every 20 years. This can vary depending on the material the gutters are made from, how they have been installed and how well they are maintained. However, rather than working to a particular timeframe, you should look out for signs that your gutters are starting to deteriorate.

Signs you might need new gutters

1. Cracks or fractures

Cracks in your guttering are never a good sign, as they create a vulnerability where water may be able to escape, dripping down onto your fascia or onto your brickwork, which can then enter your home and cause structural damage. Even small cracks and fractures will get larger so it is a good idea to look at replacing your gutters once you spot them.

2. Sagging gutters

Sagging gutters are usually a sign that the brackets are failing, have come loose, or that there is a blockage that is weighing the gutter down. The first step is to clear the blockage if there is one and then see if the gutter can be reattached or replaced. If there are multiple sagging sites or this is a regular occurrence, then it might be time for a new system.

3. Overflowing water

Overflowing water in your gutters could be a sign that you need new gutters as it suggests the current ones are not fit for purpose. This could be for a number of reasons, such as the pitch not being correct or the gutters being incorrectly installed.

4. Standing water

Standing water could be an indication that you need new gutters. Water should never sit in your gutters as they are designed to ferry the water away and to the downspout. Standing water suggests there is a problem with the pitch of the gutters, a blockage or a deformity that is preventing them from performing their function.

5. Mould in the home

Mould in the loft or ceiling of the upper floor of your home could suggest that moisture is entering your home via the gutters. However, it could also be a sign that there is a problem with your roofing material, so it is a good idea to have your roof and gutters professionally inspected if you notice this.

6. Rust on the gutters

If your gutters are made from metal, then rust is a sign that they are reaching the end of their lifecycle and you should replace them before they break completely, as a breakage will cause much bigger problems.

7. Loose nails or screws outside the home

Screws or nails around the outside of your home could have come from your guttering system. This can happen when the fixings become loosened over time from the deterioration of the gutter material or the fixing itself.

While these are all signs that your gutters might need replacing, in some cases, it might be sufficient to just repair or replace the affected section rather than the whole system.

Look out for recurrent problems that affect the gutters in multiple areas, as could be an indication that the whole system needs replacing. If you are at all unsure, it is always a good idea to have your gutters checked by a professional!