Don’t put your home at risk of unnecessary damage by overlooking worn-out gutters—especially with winter right around the corner. High winds, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can all take a toll on your gutters once the cold sets in.
Your gutters may be small, but they do a big job—keeping water flowing away from your home and protecting it from costly damage. Let’s take a look at the advantages of replacing your aging gutters this fall.
Benefits of Installing New Gutters This Fall
Avoid Water Damage
Replacing your gutters before winter arrives ensures water will be channeled safely away from your home. That means you’ll avoid water damage, prevent sagging, leaks, or complete failure of weakened gutters under the weight of melting snow and ice. You’ll also protect your roof, fascia, and siding from water intrusion and freeze-thaw cycle damage.
Minimize the Possibility of Ice Dams
Ice dams form when gutters don’t work properly because melting snow cannot drain. This causes water to back up, freeze at your roof’s edge, and form a dam which then traps more melting water—and can lead to leaks. Faulty gutters make ice dams worse by preventing water from reaching the ground. Water then seeps under your shingles and into your home, causing costly damage.
Bypass Foundation Issues
Did you know that gutters that don’t work properly can cause your foundation to crack and cost thousands to repair, particularly if the issue is left unnoticed? Replacing your gutters ensures you don’t have to deal with the costly hassle foundation issues bring. That’s a win!
Prevent Basement Flooding
Faulty gutters cause water to pool around your home’s perimeter and eventually cause your basement to flood. But you can prevent this problem with timely gutter replacement.
Save Time, Money, and Hassles
A fall gutter replacement minimizes the chance of major winter water damage, saving you money on potential future repairs, roof leaks, ceiling and wall damage, and more.
9 Signs You Need New Gutters
Each fall, spring, and after major storms, walk around your home and assess your exterior’s components. As you do, look carefully at your gutters for subtle (and some not-so-subtle) signs it’s time for repair or replacement. Look for:
1. Visible Damage to Your Gutters
If you notice cracks, holes, or rust on your current gutters, these indicate your gutter material is deteriorating and can no longer effectively channel water. Visible gutter damage means it’s time to reach out to a contractor (like us!) for an inspection.
2. Sagging Gutters
If your gutters look like they are sagging, or if they are pulling away from your home, this is a sign of a loss of structural integrity, possibly due to rotted fascia boards. If you spot this issue, it may be time for new gutters.
3. Dents
Large dents can be a sign of damage that compromises your gutters’ function.
4. Overflowing Gutters
If water spills over the edges of your gutters, even when they are clean and clog free, that indicates they can’t handle the water flow and should be replaced.
5. Frequent Clogs
Repeated blockages point to a deeper issue, potentially requiring a more efficient gutter system.
6. Water Damage on Your Exterior
If you notice water stains on your siding, this can be a sign you need new gutters.
7. Peeling Paint
Surprisingly, if you spot peeling paint inside your home or your wallpaper starts to detach, these are signs of moisture intrusion, which can begin with faulty gutters.
8. Rot
If your soffit and fascia show signs of moisture intrusion, it can come from leaks or improper drainage. Contact a gutter contractor for an inspection.
9. Water Pooling Around Your Home’s Perimeter
If you spot water pooling (standing still) around your home’s foundation, this is a big red flag you have gutter problems. If this situation is left unaddressed, it can lead to structural issues, basement flooding, and unhealthy mold growth.
Upgrade Your Home and Protect It from Water Damage with New Gutters
If your gutters are failing, now is a great time to replace them. Why? Because replacing them in the fall ensures you’ll bypass the costly problems that can occur during the winter.
At Presidential Exteriors, we’ve successfully completed over 15,000 projects throughout the VA and MD area, resulting in more than 9,000 satisfied customers. Take a moment to learn more about how our premium gutter replacement can protect your home’s foundation, landscaping, and more.