You work hard to protect the inside of your home from the elements. While a good-quality roof is important to keep everything dry inside, your eavestrough plays a vital role in protecting not only the interior but also the exterior of your home. It diverts water from the siding and the foundation, effectively ensuring runoff goes into the ground. However, water damage caused by shabby gutters can quickly go from bad to worse if they are not working properly. Here are some signs you can look for to determine whether your eavestrough needs to be replaced.
Understanding the Job Your Eavestrough Is Supposed to Do
Think of your gutters as your home’s drainage arteries. Just as veins are critical to move blood through your body, eavestroughs are needed to carry rainwater down from the roof and direct it away from your home’s foundation. Without an efficient gutter system, rain and melting snow would pour directly down the sides of your house, saturating soil, eroding landscaping, and eventually seeping under your roof and into your basement.
Replacing old, underperforming gutters isn’t cosmetic. It’s preventative maintenance for the entire structure of your home. If your eavestroughs fail to drain properly, this may quickly lead to:
- Erosion. Soil around the home washes away, destabilizing your yard.
- Foundation cracks. Water pooling by the foundation freezes and expands in winter, leading to cracks in the foundation.
- Ice damming. Melted snow refreezes along roof edges, leading to roof leaks and interior water damage.
Quick DIY Check: Is Your Eavestrough Performing Well?
You don’t need to wait for a major leak to assess whether your eavestrough system needs replacement. A quick DIY inspection can help answer an important question: how do you tell if your gutters need replacing?
- Visual inspection. On a dry day, examine your home’s gutters, looking for sagging sections, rust, peeling paint, or visible cracks. Ensure downspouts are firmly connected and positioned to discharge water at least six feet from your foundation.
- Hose test. Direct water from a garden hose into your gutter system and watch how it performs. Is the water flowing smoothly into the downspout, or does it spill over the edges? Slow drainage and spillage could result from hidden blockages, seam leaks, or slope issues.
- Check after rain. Carefully examine your property after a storm or heavy rain. Look for water pooling near your home’s foundation, overflowing gutters, or water streaks on siding.
Always use a stable ladder and wear gloves when checking or cleaning your gutters. If your roof is steep or gutters are hard to reach, call a professional from Top Hat to eliminate the risk of injury.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
1. Rust or Holes
Wear and tear are normal in areas of your home that are constantly subjected to the thralls of Mother Nature. Eavestroughs are no different. The typical materials used are plastic, vinyl, and/or aluminum (which has the longest lifespan).
- Metal is likely to develop rust patches after some time, and with constant exposure to water, the material will break down and cause problems.
- Plastic and vinyl may have holes from errant branches or tree debris, which will similarly cause the gutters to malfunction. It is possible to spot-repair some of these issues, depending on the severity of the problem.
2. Poor Drainage or Overflow
Speaking of problems, when it’s raining, you’ll see your gutter and eavestrough doing their job: to divert water off your roof and away from the foundation of your home. In good working conditions, this is easy. However, leaking seams, joints, or corners are a sign that an eavestrough needs to be replaced.
If there is a problem along any part of the track, it will cause a ripple effect throughout the system. As a result, you might notice there is not a lot of water coming down the drain spout, while other areas are overflowing with water.
Depending on the damage, you may only need to remove the debris to ease the flow of water, but it is more likely that issues will persist afterwards and require a new system.
3. Sagging or Separation from Fascia
After the storm has cleared and the sun comes out, you might want to inspect your eavestroughs. A gutter separated from the fascia, or even misplaced, renders the system nearly useless by allowing the water to fall directly downwards to the foundation and exterior of your home.
Look along your fascia and ensure the eavestrough is properly aligned, and see where the fascia meets the siding. If you notice misalignment, depending on how long ago you had your gutters done, it might be time for a replacement.
4. Water Pooling Near Foundation
After a rainstorm, take a walk around your home and check for pooling water near the foundation. This is a telltale sign that your eavestroughs are not diverting water away as they should. Pooling water can lead to:
- Soil erosion
- Foundation cracks
- Basement flooding
Addressing this issue promptly by repairing or replacing your gutters can save you from expensive foundation repairs in the future.
5. Peeling Paint and Rust Stains
If you notice peeling paint or rust stains on your eavestroughs or on the sides of your home, it’s a clear indication that your gutters are not functioning properly. Peeling paint can result from constant exposure to moisture, while rust stains signal the breakdown of the gutter material. These issues not only affect the appearance of your home but also compromise the eavestrough’s ability to channel water away effectively.
6. Cracks, Splits, or Warping
Inspect your eavestroughs for any visible cracks or splits. Even small cracks can lead to significant water damage, as they allow water to escape and seep into your home’s exterior walls and foundation. Over time, these cracks can widen, exacerbating the problem. Replacing damaged sections or the entire eavestrough system is essential to maintain proper water drainage.
7. Mould or Mildew Indoors
The presence of mildew and rot in your attic or basement can be a result of faulty eavestroughs. When gutters fail to channel water away from the house, it can seep into these areas, creating a damp environment ideal for mildew and rot to take hold. This not only affects the structural integrity of your home but also poses health risks to your family. Regular inspection and maintenance of your eavestroughs can help prevent such issues.
8. Loose or Broken Fasteners
One of the most obvious signs that your eavestroughs need replacing is sagging. This usually occurs when the gutters are filled with debris, such as leaves and twigs, causing them to become heavy and pull away from the house. Over time, the brackets and fasteners that secure the gutters can weaken, leading to sagging or complete detachment from the fascia. If left unchecked, sagging gutters can cause water to overflow and damage your home’s exterior and foundation.
9. Overflow During Rainstorms
Observe your eavestroughs during a heavy rainstorm. If you notice water spilling over the sides instead of flowing through the downspouts, it indicates a problem. Overflowing gutters can result from blockages, improper installation, or an inadequate system for handling the volume of water. Ensuring your gutters are correctly sized and free of obstructions can prevent water damage and maintain the integrity of your home.
10. Damage Inside and Outside Your Home
A telltale sign that your eavestrough is not working correctly (and hasn’t been for some time) is the impact it has on your home. Masonry might become damaged due to increased amounts of water, or siding could start to show the presence of mould. In extreme cases, water will begin to seep into cracks in the foundation or through walls, causing possible mildew and structural problems. In these cases, it is best to call in the professionals.
Material Matters: Choosing the Right Gutter for Your Climate
When it comes to replacing your eavestroughs, selecting the right material is vital for longevity and performance.
- Aluminum is a popular choice due to its durability and resistance to rust.
- Vinyl is another option, known for its affordability and ease of installation.
- Copper eavestroughs, though more expensive, offer a unique aesthetic and long-lasting performance.
Consider your budget, climate, and aesthetic preferences when choosing the material for your new eavestroughs.
Repair or Replace? How to Decide
Deciding whether to repair or replace your eavestrough system comes down to age, extent of damage, and how often problems occur. If your system is less than 10 years old and only has minor issues, such as a few loose fasteners or small leaks, repairs may be cost-effective.
However, if your gutters are sagging, rusting, or requiring frequent fixes, replacement will usually be more efficient in the long term. A cost-benefit analysis will often show that ongoing repairs can add up quickly, while a new eavestrough system will provide peace of mind for many years to come.
Preventative Maintenance Tips (From the Pros)
Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and repairing minor damages, can extend the life of your eavestroughs and ensure they function effectively. Indeed, a well-maintained eavestrough system can last decades! To keep your gutters in top condition, follow these expert tips:
- Seasonal cleaning. Clear gutters of leaves and debris at least twice a year; once in spring after the thaw and again in fall after leaves drop.
- Helpful add-ons: Install gutter guards to minimize debris buildup and reduce the need for regular cleaning.
- Use the right tools: Gloves, a regular garden hose, and a stable ladder are all you need to clean gutters safely and effectively.
- What not to do: Avoid high-pressure washing or leaning ladders directly on gutters, as both can damage seams and brackets.
When to Call an Expert
While visual inspections can help identify obvious problems, a professional inspection is crucial for a thorough assessment of your eavestrough system. Experts can spot issues that might not be apparent to the untrained eye and recommend appropriate solutions.
At Top Hat, we frequently conduct gutter inspections to check slope accuracy, identify hidden leaks, examine bracket integrity, and determine whether downspouts are draining far enough from the foundation. While such an inspection will typically take less than an hour, it can reveal issues invisible to the untrained eye.
If you have noticed persistent leaks, water pooling, sagging, or interior signs of mildew, it’s time to bring in professionals. We will conduct a thorough inspection and determine whether targeted repairs will suffice or if a full replacement is the safest investment.
Final Takeaway: Stay Ahead of Water Damage
Eavestroughs play a crucial role in protecting your home from water damage. Recognizing the signs of wear and tear and addressing them promptly can save you from costly repairs and maintain your home’s structural integrity. At Top Hat, we specialize in professional eavestrough installation, repair, and protection services. Contact us today to ensure your home remains safe and dry with a reliable eavestrough system. We’re here to help!
