Gutters are one of the most important parts of any home. They are the first line of defense in preventing water damage by guiding and leading water away from your home. It protects the home’s exterior walls and doors, thus virtually eliminating the risk of basement flooding.
In rainy Vancouver and surrounding areas, gutters and downspouts are especially vital because of the amount of rainfall the region receives annually, especially in the winter months.
Existing gutters or eavestroughs can often service houses for multiple decades, therefore many homeowners are not sure how old their gutters are or their condition.
How do you know that your gutters need to be replaced? You don’t want to tear down gutters that could be salvaged, however the risk of relying on faulty gutters in Metro Vancouver could have grave consequences. Here are five warning signs you should look for that may indicate it’s time for new gutters replacement.
Spot the Warning Signs of Damaged Gutters on Your Metro Vancouver Home
1. Separation or Decay
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook small separations or tiny amounts of decay on your gutters, since they are only detected during large storms. A deteriorated gutter system is as useful as a decayed or rusted out pail.
Sealant could temporarily eliminate small separations, but they soon become a larger problem, as it is only a question of time and then replacement is imminent.
2. Unleveled Gutter Seams
The gutter seams or joints are where the sections of gutter come together. It is essential that they are fastened together in a stress-free fashion and an adequate of sealant is applied to prevent water seepage. Certain seams are repairable, but not always a cost-effective method of maintaining an aged gutter system.
3. Is Paint Fading on Your Gutters?
Most gutter paints are designed to withstand the wear and tear in Metro Vancouver’s rainy season by repelling excess moisture that otherwise can get underneath the paint. Exposure to the sun can result in the fading of the paint and making it look less appealing. Since most paint finishes on aluminum gutters are baked enamel, they don’t peel or flake, but tend to fade with age. Repainting is possible, however the surface is never the same as the original product and it would be better value for money to replace the gutter system.
4. Mildew Along Your Home’s Foundation
If any pools of water or signs of mildew start showing up near your Vancouver home’s foundation, that’s not a good sign. In fact, the reason why downspouts end a few feet away from the home, is to avoid this exact problem. Moisture buildup near the foundation eventually will find its way into the basement, resulting in smelly mildew growth.
Therefore, if you notice pooling water or moisture near your home’s foundation, this could be the sign that your gutters and downspouts need replacing.
5. Gutters Sagging Away From the Roof
Fasteners, which hold the gutters along the edge of the roof, occasionally need to be maintained. If you find yourself time and again re-securing fasteners as a result of gutters pulling away from the roof, that’s not a good sign. Either your fascia boards are rotting, your gutters are waterlogged or there is stress on your gutter from damage incurred due to snow. This means that new gutters should be considered.
Updating and Installing New Gutters in Metro Vancouver
Weatherguard Gutters is an industry leader in gutter installations and gutter repairs throughout the Lower Mainland. We service homes and install new gutters in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, the North Shore, Delta, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and White Rock.
If you think you might need new gutters for your Vancouver home, contact Weatherguard Gutters for a free consultation. We are the most experienced and largest gutter installation company in the Lower Mainland and we have the expertise to install modern and effective gutters on any kind of building.