For being called the Sunshine State, Florida sure does get a lot of rain. And your gutters? They may have worked seamlessly for many years, but every installation has an expiration date. To find out if yours has arrived, here are three major tell-tale signs you need to replace your gutters.
RUST
One of the first signs to look for is rust. Check your grass, concrete, and gutters themselves to see if there’s rust. Excessive rainfall can cause gutters to rust and, in turn, generate a host of other issues. For instance, the excessive rain will weaken your gutters so they are unable to withstand large volumes of water (meaning your gutters will eventually collapse). Additionally, rust can create small holes in your gutters, which water will undoubtedly leak through, damaging the walls of your home or business.
Mildew
Another sign to keep an eye out for is mildew, which can typically be found on your walls or hiding around your doors, windows, and trims. Your gutters should control the flow of water away from your building’s foundation. But if rain is sitting on your roof or in your gutters, it will cause leaks. Those leaks will inevitably produce mildew, putting your health and the structural integrity of your home or business at risk.
Erosion
Finally, pay attention to the soil. When there’s a problem with your gutters, water will flood the surrounding soil and induce erosion. In time, it will destroy your yard, its root systems, and the foundation of your home or business. With so much at stake, it’s essential to ensure your gutters are working so they don’t cause erosion and other forms of destruction. Gutters don’t just carry water off your roof and away from your home or business — they protect your investment! If you notice any of the above signs, a quick-fix won’t do the job because it’s time to replace your gutters. Need some help? Request a free quote today! At St. Augustine Gutters, we serve those in St. Johns County and the surrounding FL communities.