According to the Sydney Morning Herald, if you’re planning to replace or repair your gutter system, note that many of the gutter systems installed in Australian homes don’t meet national standards. This can cause many problems such as timber rot, mould, and termites. Over time, it can even cause home deterioration, which can be devastating to your major investment. There are several signs that your home might require gutter replacement including the following ones:
No outflow from downpipe
If you can see the downpipe’s bottom end, check if the water is flowing out of it when it rains. If the bottom end isn’t visible, you might hear water flowing. You can also lift up a nearby rain cover and look inside.
If there’s no downpipe outflow, this can show the drainpipe has a blockage. However, more often it means your gutters are blocked or damaged.
Overflowing gutters
There are various causes of blocked gutters, which can trigger overflowing water after heavy rains. This happens when the rain can’t flow from the gutter to the drainpipe.
January is generally the wettest month in Australia. If you observe overflowing gutters after a heavy rain, then they might need to be cleared of materials like moss, leaves, and twigs. In other cases, gutter repairs or replacement is required.
Cracks/holes or rust
Small cracks or holes in your gutters can become big problems over time and can eventually make your drainage system useless. If you experience heavy rains from January to March, for example, then it’s important to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, rust is a sign that the guttering section is weakening. This is a common sign that it’s time to replace your home’s guttering.
Leaking roof and damp walls
There are a few signs related to the roof and walls that can show gutter problems. Look for a leaking roof or damp walls along a gutter-containing exterior wall. There’s a chance that extra rainwater is causing gutter overflow and entering your home’s wall or roof.
Find a professional company to check out your guttering. This is a fast, easy, and cost-effective option to clear out most guttering blockages. They can usually fix problems related to leaks or dampness in a short time.
Sagging gutters
This is usually visible from ground-level unless your gutters are high off the ground. There are various reasons why the gutters might sag. They include installers using improper guttering lengths during the initial installation, and broken supports.
Standing water
It is important to check ground-level standing water or a flooded car park. Since water flows downwards, the gutters might be the cause.
There are various causes of rainwater not reaching the sewers. They include drainage problems like blocked drain pipes and damaged guttering. This can result in flooding that seems at first to start from the ground-up.
Loose screws or broken fasteners
If you’re constantly tightening screws or fasteners, then this could be a sign your gutters are wearing out. Replacing them now and then probably isn’t a problem. However, if you need to replace them constantly, then you should contact a professional for further investigation.
If you observe problems like overflowing or sagging gutters, standing water, or leaking roofs, it could be a sign you need to contact professionals for gutter replacement or repairs.