Gutters may seem insignificant, but they actually play a critical role in directing water away from the perimeter of your home. Without properly functioning gutters, water falls off the roof directly above your foundation, soaking the soil, which in turn soaks the foundation. This could potentially cause serious damage, such as cracking, shifting, or leaking, which in turn could lead to mold on the interior walls.

Waterfalls coming off your roof can seep under your doors or cause rotting in your walls and windowsills. Icicles hanging across the edge or large slabs of ice sliding off your roof could not only damage your landscaping, they could cause serious injury to anyone unfortunate enough to be underneath when they come down. 

Detecting a problem

How do you know that your gutters need replacing? Most signs are fairly obvious, others more subtle. And sometimes your gutters only need to be repaired.

If your gutters are obviously broken or bent, you need new gutters. If, however, they are disconnected or falling off and they are fairly new, you may just need to replace the hardware.  One of our experts can determine the condition of your gutters and make a recommendation. 

A waterfall during a hard rain is an obvious sign of a drainage problem, but more subtle leaking or dripping may be a sign that small cracks are beginning to form. In the winter, icicles are a clear sign. And if plants are growing in your gutters, it’s time for new ones.

A subtle signal that your gutters are leaking is bubbled or peeling paint on the exterior of your house. Check the gutters above the area and you’ll probably find a leak. A poorly draining gutter could also cause standing moisture to rest on the roof, leading once again to the possibility of rot and a very expensive fix.

The benefits of new gutters

New gutters are a fairly inexpensive way to avoid very expensive problems down the road. Your new, properly functioning gutters will effectively move water away from your home, protecting your foundation, walls, and paint. They will also improve your home’s appearance, enhance curb appeal, and increase your home’s value.

Gutter design continues to improve, developing more effective and attractive ways to protect your home from the ravages of the elements. Come in and see the wide selection of gutters available in many attractive materials and colors.