Most home owners see their guttering as a small part of their home, a useful addition that directs unwanted water away from the property. Your guttering does in fact play a much more important role than you may think, especially when it comes to the wider building’s structural integrity. It may be a case of ‘out of sight and out of mind’ with your gutters but without the right care and, if necessary, replacement, damaged or blocked guttering can cause more serious problems. These could be issues that cost a significant amount of time and money to rectify.
As a leading provider of rainwater products, including guttering, we know more than most about the importance of keeping your gutters free from dirt, debris and damage. It’s all too easy for blockages and damage to occur, particularly during the autumn and winter months. Regular cleaning and maintenance is recommended, but what if your guttering is too blocked or damaged to fix? High-quality guttering should last in excess of 20 years with the right maintenance. However, replacement may be required if you are experiencing the following:
Cracks and splits
Cracks and splitsOver time it’s normal for your guttering to succumb to small cracks, and whilst these may not cause issues, in the long run they can morph into bigger splits and even bigger problems. Guttering that fails to retain water due to cracks and splits isn’t all that effective, and if left to worsen, cracked and split guttering can cause damage to the fascia boards that sit behind them, the tiles above and the foundations below.
Peeling paint
The area surrounding your damaged guttering will also become affected if issues aren’t remedied. One of the first signs you may notice is peeling paint on your fascia boards. Here American handyman Bob Vila explains just what peeling paint tells you about the condition of your guttering:
“Believe it or not, malfunctioning gutters can ruin a perfectly good paint job. Check your exterior siding for any paint that has bubbled up or peeled away due to excess moisture. Wherever you find a section of compromised paint, be sure to check the condition of the nearest gutter. If even your painted gutters are peeling, then you very likely have a leak. In cases where peeling paint extends beyond one or a couple of areas, think seriously about gutter replacement, not repair.”
As well as peeling paint you may also notice water marks or damage underneath your gutters. This is more than likely the result of leaks or overflowing water. Acting fast will ensure the fascia boards, soffits and surrounding areas don’t need replacement too.
Damaged foundations
As you may know water and your home’s foundations don’t mix, and the success of your property’s drainage system has a huge impact on the condition of your foundations.
Analysing whether your foundations are at risk comes down to spotting the signs early. Water and mildew accumulating around your home’s foundations is a sure fire sign that your guttering isn’t performing as well as it should do. Don’t let foundation damage get the better of you, replace your guttering and avoid time consuming, costly repair work.
Remember gutter maintenance really does matter, but identifying the signs that replacement is needed is just as important and could prevent costly repairs. Need to replace your guttering? Get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.