Top Reasons For Replacing Your Gutters Thankfully, most gutter problems start small enough that you can perform a quick and easy fix to keep the gutters functioning properly. Still, there are occasions when you’ll have no choice but to replace the gutters. In these cases, it’ll become obvious when to replace gutters.  Sudden weather damage can render gutters ineffective, as can a lack of preventive maintenance. It’s a good idea to inspect your gutters twice a year (a convenient thing to do while you’re cleaning them out during the spring and fall) to make sure they’re in good shape. Here are some signs to look for that will require new gutters:

Gutters Pulling Away

If your gutters keep moving away from the roof—even if you constantly replace the fasteners—you likely have rotting fascia boards. Having space between your roof and gutters essentially renders the gutters useless and you’ll need to replace them. While replacing the gutters, you’ll also fix the fascia problem, so you should be good with your new gutters for many years.

Too Many Broken Fasteners

It’s entirely possible to fix a broken fastener yourself. However, if you’re routinely seeing fasteners break, wilt or separate, the problem may be with the gutters. Have a professional look at it to be sure, but fasteners should not be faltering in large quantities.

Separated Gutters

Gutters only work when they’re properly installed as a single unit to direct precipitation where it needs to go. When gutter sections separate from each other, water escapes before it’s supposed to. You can fix a separated-gutter issue if it’s minor and infrequent, but if it becomes the norm, you need new gutters.

Puddles, Pools and (We Hope Not) Floods

Aside from issues you can see by simply looking at your gutters, check for symptoms of malfunctioning gutter systems. If puddles and pools form in certain spots (especially near your foundation) every time it rains, it could be cause for concern. More concerning: basement floods. If the water is getting into your foundation and making its way into the basement, something needs to be done right away. The longer you let it go, the more expensive it will be to fix. Gutters are designed to keep water away from the foundation. If they’re not doing so, they need to be replaced. As always, you can feel free to contact us to have your gutters inspected. In general, if there are no obvious cosmetic defects and your gutters continue to direct the water away from your foundation, you’re fine. But if you see any of these potentially damaging signs, act sooner than later.