Do you have a roofer recommending that you replace your gutters, but you’re not sure if they really need it? Or are you certain your gutters are falling apart and need to be replaced but don’t feel like they lasted as long as they should? How often should you have to replace your rain gutters? Roughly once every twenty years, maybe even more if you have copper rain gutters. If you find yourself needing a replacement more often there may be reasons that you could even correct for your next gutter system.
We’ll explain what you need to know about replacing your gutters below.
Signs You Should Replace Your Gutters
If your roofer has recommended you replace your gutters before the 20-year mark is up, but you’re skeptical of that, you may want to consider if you really need the replacement. You can ask your roofer to keep the gutters up if you think they still have a few years left. But, these signs mean you should probably get the replacement as the roofer suggests:
- Widespread rusting: Rusting is a sign that gutters are breaking down and will soon spout leaks, if they haven’t already.
- Widespread leaking: While one or two leaks should be fixed, widespread leaking is a sign of a problem with the whole system.
- Sagging: Sometimes, weight from clogs and water sag the gutters, which prevents them from draining properly.
- Frequent clogs from poor performance: Sometimes, the gutter design contributes to clogs. Or, clogs may be inevitable from surrounding plant life. It’s important to determine this to know whether you should replace it.
- Age: Gutters that are so old they are about to fall apart should be replaced.
- Material mismatch: If the roofer is installing a new roof with materials that don’t work with your current gutter system, they may need to be replaced.
- Widespread staining:
Remember that if you have a problem with only one or two sections of your gutter system, it is possible to just replace that spot instead of the whole system.
Reasons Your Gutters Failed Early
Why did you gutters fail before they should have? There are some reasons you should investigate:
- Material quality: If you choose poorer quality material, they simply may not last as long as other gutter options. Further, some gutter materials cannot be in contact with different flashing materials or they corrode one another. It is ideal to match flashing and gutter materials.
- Poor installation: Problems with the original installation may cause your system to breakdown early. Not including enough downspouts, not angling the gutters correctly, and not choosing the right size may all contribute.
- Damage: Gutters may become damaged from storms, long-term exposure to weather, having a ladder leaned up against them, accidents when hanging Christmas lights, fallen trees and more. Any may require repair, and if they don’t get it, the whole system may fail.
Correct Rain Gutter Issues for the Long Term
The best way to ensure your rain gutters will last longer without replacement next time is to work with reputable roofing professionals who can install a proper gutter system. Our rain gutter repair and installation team operates throughout the greater South Bay, so help is never far away.