Your gutters do more than you think to protect your home and your property from severe water damage. They don’t look like much, but when the water is flowing, they carry it from the roof down the spouts and away from your home to avoid water damage to your roof, foundation, and landscaping. But there are a few things to watch for that would indicate problems with your gutters. These include visible gutter damage and water pooling in the basement. Malfunctioning gutters can cause a variety of problems. Here’s what to look for so you can tell when your gutters are not functioning as they should be.
Check for Visible Gutter Damage
You need professional gutter services when you find damage. Some of the most obvious signs would be holes in your gutters, or they are coming away from your home. You might also find that your gutters are sagging or cracked, which tells you they need gutter repairs or a new gutter installation. You may have gaps between the gutter connections that need replacing. Whenever you find gutters that are coming apart or you notice dripping at the connection points, call a gutter company to assess the damage. Finding screws or small parts of your gutter system around your home, it’s time to call for gutter services.
Less Obvious Gutter Damage Indicators
Small animals love making themselves at home in your gutters. You might notice your gutters overflowing because of animals or nests, your gutters are unable to direct water properly. You may see standing water in your gutters, which indicates that they are not angled correctly to guide water off the roof. The formation of icicles in the winter is a sure sign that your gutters are not draining water as well as they need to.
Checking Around the Home for Signs of Failing Gutters
It’s not just your gutters that will tell you they are failing. Your home is a good indicator too. Check around your foundation after a storm to see if you have pooling water. This means your gutters are not directing water appropriately away from your foundation. If you have rotting wood or peeling paint on your home’s exterior, your gutters have failed and left water damage. A flooding basement or waterlogged landscaping after heavy rain is telling you to call the gutter companies in your area to help fix the problem.
