7 Ways to Tell You Need Gutter Repair
The rain gutters of your house may seem insignificant compared to other components, but they are vital. Rain gutters are designed to divert water away from your home. Rainwater that is not diverted away from the foundation will erode soil, causing damage to the basement and the foundation. It is important to be on the lookout for any signs that your rain gutters need to be repaired. Here are some ways you can tell if your home needs guttering repairs in Auckland.
1. Leaks
Gutter are made of plastic, which can crack and cause other damage. Sharp branches that fall can puncture gutters, causing water leakage down your house. Caulk that holds the joints together can deteriorate over time and cause water leaks. Professional gutter repair contractors should address the issue of leakage as soon as it occurs.
2. Broken Fasteners
Fasteners are metal pieces that hold your gutters to your roof. The fasteners also keep the gutters level, preventing water from leaking out of the sides. The rain gutters become weaker and less level when one or more fasteners are broken. You may not see any damage at first but signs of damage usually become more evident the longer the gutters are left untouched. Contact a professional to safely and securely reattach your gutters to the roof.
3. Rust or Peeling paint
Sometimes, the signs of gutter replacement can be subtle. You may not notice that your gutters are rusting orange or the paint is peeling. Standing water is a major cause of peeling paint, and the formation of rust. Standing water in the gutters will cause paint to peel and eventually rust to form. It is likely that your rain gutters do not work as they should, and instead hold water rather than channeling it away.
4. Pooling Water
Your rain gutters may not be doing their job if you see water pooling at the base of your house after heavy rainfall. This problem is often caused by the downspouts. It is possible that the downspouts are not long enough to move water effectively away from your home. It is possible that the downspouts are not angled correctly in some cases. This can be easily fixed. It is a good idea, if you’re not sure of the issue, to hire gutter repair professionals to inspect your system and make any necessary repairs.
5. Eroded landscape
You may find it frustrating when you step onto your lawn and discover that the soil is waterlogged because rain has poured from your gutters. Even more frustrating is if you’ve spent money on landscaping your yard or enhancing the curb appeal of your home. Rather than spending money on your yard to keep it looking good, invest in a new gutter system. Honest roofers gutter repair contractors will remove your old gutter system and replace with a more efficient new system. Rain gutters are made from a variety of materials and can last anywhere between 20 to 50 years.
6. Sagging
You can often tell that your gutters need to be repaired by looking at them. Repairs are needed if the gutters appear to be sagging or pulling away from the home. When water does not flow down the gutters, but instead sits there in the gutters, sagging can happen. There are many reasons why water can accumulate in gutters.
7. Basement Flooding
Water will eventually accumulate in your basement if rainwater is constantly pooling around the foundation. You may first notice that your basement floor becomes damp after a rainstorm. You may begin to notice water damage in your home as the moisture increases. The cost of this type of structural damage is far greater than a simple replacement of gutters. It is more cost effective to replace gutters if your rain gutters cause damage in the basement.
Rain Gutter Issues: What are the Effects?
Rain gutters that are not working properly can cause a variety of expensive problems to your home. The foundation is one of the most costly and difficult problems to fix. Water can cause foundation cracks over time. This allows water to seep into your home and could potentially cause your home to shift. Even if the foundation stays put, water can lead to mold. The fascia boards, which hold the gutter system together, can be affected by damaged gutters. Moisture from failing gutters will cause wood rot and deterioration of the fascia boards over time.
Contact Gutter Repair Experts Today
You can fix your gutters yourself if the problem is small. Due to the complexity of a rain-gutter system and the height of gutters, it’s best to leave this project to experienced, licensed and insured honest roofers contractors. If you don’t have your gutters fixed, you may experience many problems. These include extensive roof damage, landscape erosion and mold growth. Call a contractor in your area for more information, or to schedule an appointment to inspect your gutters.
