Rain gutters play an important role in protecting your home’s exterior from water damage. If you have a basement, gutters are especially beneficial, as they can prevent ground erosion that can lead to flooding. By the same principle, gutters can keep water away from your foundation, preserving it and saving you from expensive repairs.

However, over time gutters may get cluttered or become damaged. To keep your home safe, it’s essential that you have them repaired or replaced by experienced Wisconsin gutter contractors as soon as you notice signs of degradation.

All Exteriors LLC helps homeowners in New Richmond by offering seamless gutter installation and other services. With 20 years of experience, we’re the ideal choice for your remodeling or repair job. How can you tell if it’s time to contact us? Here are six signs your gutters need to go.

1. Pooling Water

If you’re noticing pools of water along the side of your house, there’s probably something wrong with your gutters. Pooling indicates a leak; if it’s been around for a while, you may also notice mold or mildew.

These two issues are especially troublesome, as they can cause health problems for residents and structural damage to your home. A few common signs of mold and mildew are bubbling on interior walls or ceiling, a musty odor and discoloration.

2. Rot

If you have wooden siding, leaking gutters may cause rot. As an organic material, wood is susceptible to moisture and can quickly degrade with exposure. Depending on where the leak is, you may also notice rot along with wooden door jams or window sills.

Rot is a serious issue, as it eats away at your house’s first line of defense against exterior threats. Softened siding can let moisture, dirt, and even wild animals into your walls where they’ll wreak havoc.

3. Sagging

When gutters clog, they can become structurally unsound from the weight and built-up pressure. This often results in sagging or pulling away from the roof. This is a significant sign that you need to upgrade, potentially to K-guard gutters that prevent leaves, sticks and other debris from entering the system. If your current system is often clogging, that means it’s too narrow to manage the flow of water and

debris effectively. If you try to repair instead of replacing, you may find yourself facing the same problem again.

4. Peeling Paint

If you suspect a leak but don’t see puddles along the side of your house, there may be more subtle signs of the damage: peeling. The repeated presence of water makes paint peel and bubble over time. Since these issues start small, you may not notice them at first. Make sure to look under overhangs and where the system meets the house.

5. Separating Seams

Many older systems have seams where gutter segments connect. These weak spots are susceptible to separating with the repeated pressure of water and debris. While it’s possible to repair this issue, there’s no way to eliminate it without upgrading to seamless gutters.

6. Cracks

Visible cracks are a bad sign since they indicate leaks. If you notice a crack anywhere along the system, make sure you thoroughly examine the rest, as there may be smaller cracks you don’t see at first glance.

While repairable, cracks are a sign that your gutters are getting old. Sun, rain and fluctuating temperatures eventually take their toll, and it’s up to you as the homeowner to recognize when your system is done for.

7. Loose Screws and Nails

Finding screws or nails on the ground near your gutters once or twice is okay, but if it happens more than that, then it’s time to consider replacement. Screws and nails are crucial components of your gutters as they keep them attached to the roof. While replacing these components is easy, repeated instances could be a sign of gutter wear and tear.

8. Broken Fasteners

The fasteners connect your gutter to the roof and keep it aligned. Without them, your gutters will not be able to perform their job of guiding water away from your home. Repairing the fasteners a few times over the years is typical. However, if the issue persists, then the gutters themselves might be the problem.

9. Eroded Landscaping

If you’ve been wondering why the soil around your home is eroding, your gutters could be to blame. Damaged gutters can cause water to spill into your yard, carrying the soil and washing it away. When not properly addressed, this can cause your outdoor area’s soil to become thinner and denser.

Worst case scenario, soil erosion could cause damage to your home’s foundation. The topsoil around your home serves as foundational support for your house. When the soil loosens, it could cause your building to shift or tilt to one side.

Is it time to install new gutters? Then reach out to All Exteriors LLC. Our experts can get you set up with an effective, durable system in no time. To learn more about our services or to get a quote, give us a call at (715) 781-1696 or contact us online.

Photo Credit: Bilanol/Getty Images

9 Telltale Signs Your Gutter Needs Replacing