Your home’s guttering is an essential part of its roofline structure, transporting collected rainwater away from your property. However, over time, old gutters and downpipes may become weak, cracked or broken due to blockages and wear and tear, so they will need replacing.
Here are some of the tell-tale signs you need new guttering.
Roof leaks & waterlogged ground
Property leaks are a costly problem, especially if they cause water damage within your home. If your guttering has deteriorated over the years or issues are left unrepaired, you may start to experience roof leaks, especially if rainwater no longer drains away from your property as it should.
Early signs of leaks include damp patches within your loft space, water stains, mould, peeling paint and even waterlogged ground around the outside of the property. If you see any of these issues, ask a roofer to assess your guttering and roofline.
Sagging or overflowing gutters
If you notice overflowing or sagging gutters, there could be a major issue going on with your roofline. In some cases, it’s a blockage that needs removing, such as impacted leaves, dirt or dead animals. This can cause a backlog of water to build up, and the additional weight can cause guttering to sag. There could also be a problem with the roof’s fascias and soffits supporting the gutters.
However, overflowing gutters where downpipe drainage isn’t an issue could also indicate an installation fault (e.g. the gutters aren’t angled properly), or you need a larger guttering system fitted to cope with the volume of rainwater your property experiences.
Cracked or broken gutters
You can often spot cracked or broken plastic along the guttering if untreated issues have become more significant, causing permanent damage to the structure.
Even if it’s a small crack, don’t ignore it. In the colder months, when temperatures fall below freezing, any rainwater that turns to ice can expand within the affected section, causing the crack to split further open.
Unfortunately, if guttering has been left in a poor state and is now suffering leaks, it may be time for a replacement.
Rust along the gutters
Some old metal guttering is prone to rust, so always check its appearance for signs of this developing. You may also see cracked or peeled paint if special coatings have worn down over time.
If your guttering is looking a little worse for wear, affecting your property’s kerb appeal, it may be time to consider installing high-quality uPVC guttering. Just ask your local roofer about the best products they have access to.
Ask for a guttering inspection now
If you think you need new or replacement guttering at your property, contact the team at Radlett Roofing. We offer roofline services across the Hertfordshire area, including new guttering installations in Berkhamsted, Borehamwood and Cheshunt.
To speak to our friendly, professional roofing team, call now on 01923 961055 or send a message to info@radlett-roofing.co.uk.
