Your gutters are an essential part of your home exterior because they prevent a buildup of rainwater and protect the property from damage. But if they are not functioning as they should, you are open to a whole host of home maintenance problems. 

In some cases, gutters are not draining properly because they are clogged up and they need to be cleaned out properly. However, even if you clean them out, they might not function as they should because they are damaged and they need to be replaced. Knowing how to tell when they just need cleaning or repairing and when they need to be replaced is key to preventing damage to your home and saving money. So, how can you tell if your gutters need to be replaced? 

Large Cracks

Cracks in the gutters leak water down the side of your house, which leads to damp problems in the future. If there is a small crack, you may be able to replace a section of the gutter and the problem will go away. However, any big cracks will soon start causing you serious problems, so it’s best to call in a gutter installation company right away. When you notice small cracks in your gutters, you shouldn’t ignore them because they won’t go away, they’ll just keep getting bigger. It’s much cheaper to sort them out sooner rather than later. 

Sagging 

Sagging is another common issue with gutters and it usually happens when the brackets pull away from the wall or break. Extra weight caused by a buildup of leaves and debris makes this more likely. So it’s important that you clean your gutters regularly to avoid it. Unfortunately, if your gutters are already sagging, there isn’t a huge amount you can do about it apart from replacing them. 

Mold In Your Home

It’s not just the gutters that you should check, you should also watch out for tell-tale signs around the home that indicate they are not doing their job. If you find mold in the attic and around the upstairs ceilings, that’s a sure sign that moisture is getting in somewhere. There could be another explanation, but it’s very likely that it’s because your gutters aren’t draining for some reason and water is seeping into the house. 

Soil Erosion 

This is one that people tend to miss. If you notice that the soil outside your home is less dense and it has more moisture than usual, that could be a sign that your gutters are leaking. The excess water will soak through the soil and erode it. That water then sits in the garden and can potentially soak back into the property, causing a lot of damage. If you notice changes to the soil, you should look around the gutters and see if you can work out where the leak is coming from. In some cases, you might be able to repair it, but it may require a full gutter replacement. 

If you ignore these signs and neglect your gutters, you will end up costing yourself more money in the future, so it’s best to replace them straight away.