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Gutters serve one purpose—but it’s an important one. By diverting rainwater away from our roof and our house’s foundation, they help preserve each’s structural integrity. However, most steel or aluminum gutters only have a life span of 20 years and weather conditions or lack of maintenance can cause them to wear out faster. If you have concerns about yours and its ability to function, a roofing contractor can determine whether it’s fixable or if a new system is needed. However, a replacement is often best in the following circumstances for reasons also explained below.

When Should You Replace Your Gutters?

Most severely and most obviously, make sure your gutters are not pulling away from your house. If they have not been cleaned recently, they may be filled with a combination of leaves, dirt, and other debris. This likely created a clog through which water couldn’t pass. As a result of this, the gutters became too heavy to the point of sagging and will need to be replaced. Hail can also cause them to separate from a home.

Inspect your gutters once a season for cracks. Unintentional water leakage from these points could run down the walls of your house, meaning you might notice stains on your siding as well. You should also be worried about any peeling paint on your gutters—a symptom of continual exposure to moisture.

What Happens if You Delay Gutter Replacement?

roofing contractorIf your rainwater is not being redirected as intended, there are two places where it is most likely to go. If it backs up onto the roof, it will weaken the shingles and leak into your attic. Eventually, roofing contractors warn, the entire structure will be undermined. In addition to this, the vulnerabilities created can be exploited by pests, including bats, mice, and bugs—all of which can cause additional damage to your home.

Alternatively, the water could fall directly below the gutters, where it can undermine your foundation, causing cracks. The basement will then be more likely to flood. Even without going to this extreme, the increase in moisture to this area can prompt mold growth, which can trigger symptoms in those with allergy problems. Not only will this be time-consuming and stressful to resolve, but it will also cost much more to deal with than the initial gutter replacement would have.

 

Have damaged gutters? Turn to the experts at Chavez Roofing & Construction in Denver, CO. This team of roofing contractors has been around for over 13 years and offers everything from inspections to replacements. They pride themselves in keeping up with industry trends and aim to exceed each customer’s expectations. For more information about their services, visit their website. Call (720) 579-5188 to schedule an inspection with a roofing contractor today.

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