Your home’s gutters do an important job by channeling rainwater away from your eaves and exterior walls, preventing water damage to these areas. Regular cleaning and maintenance can keep them in good shape for years, but even under ideal circumstances, you'll still need to replace them eventually. Here's how to know when it's time.

When to Schedule New Gutter Installation

1. Leaking

If water is seeping out of your gutters, it can damage your walls and defeat the purpose of having this system in the first place. Small leaks can often be plugged, but if multiple leaks appear, it's a sign that the whole system is deteriorating.

2. Sagging

Your gutters are installed on a slight slant, letting water flow toward the downspouts and drain away. When they sag, the water pools in the low areas and can flow over the sides.

3. Rust & Corrosion

When a pipe or fitting rusts, it gets much weaker and is more likely to develop leaks or even to detach from the home. You can treat small areas of rust by sanding them off and refinishing the area, but the more extensive the rust or corrosion gets, the weaker your gutters become.

4. Gaps

In most gutter systems, multiple lengths of pipe are connected with carefully fitted joints. When these joints loosen, they leak, and the pipe may fall or sag. Only seamless gutters are essentially immune to this problem.

5. Cracks

Plastic systems are particularly vulnerable to cracking. Cracks create leaks and weaken the area. This makes further damage more likely, even after repairs. If you replace cracked gutters, consider a more durable material like aluminum or copper.

If it's time to replace your home's gutter system, call McCarthy Seamless Gutters in Danbury, CT. For almost 50 years, this contractor has offered affordable prices and discounts when creating effective runoff management systems. To get a gutter estimate, call (203) 743-0599.