8 Signs that Your Gutters Are Leaking
Leaky gutters might not sound like that big of a deal, but the truth is that they can lead to extremely serious and expensive problems if you don’t address the problem quickly. If you see any of the following signs, take immediate action by checking your gutters for worn-out places or blockage and getting them cleaned or replaced as needed.
- The first sign that something is wrong is changes in the condition of your gutters. If you see any dents, holes, or bent places—or worse, rust—in your gutters, there’s a good chance that your gutters aren’t functioning as they should.
- Check out the condition of your basement. The biggest cause of basement leaks is problems with the gutters. If you see any signs of water or mold (which is caused by moisture), check out your gutters immediately.
- Do you have gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house? They’re probably not funneling water like they should, which can lead to leaks.
- Although it may seem unrelated, peeling paint or rust stains on the outside of your house can be a sign of gutter problems. This can occur when the water moving through the gutter overflows or splashes.
- Foundation cracks are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. There are many different reasons for this problem. One of them is gutter issues. When the gutters are sending water directly toward the foundation, this can eventually lead to cracks if it goes on too long.
- When it rains, you should pay attention to the way your gutters are draining. If you hear and/or see water overflowing and falling directly to the ground, this could indicate that your gutters are blocked or misaligned.
- It’s also a bad sign if you see puddles of water close to the side of your house, since this should be prevented by gutters that are working properly. An additional thing to look for is mold growing around your home’s foundation.
- When you get up on a ladder or the roof and inspect your gutters, do you see standing water? This is a bad sign that the gutters aren’t doing their job, which means a much higher potential for leaks.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that issues with your gutters will resolve themselves. If you see any of these tell-tale signs, you need to take steps to address the problem right away to avoid costly damage to your home.