Know the signs you need new gutters in Lansing

Next time it rains, grab your umbrella and take a walk around your house. Singing is optional. Dancing is not recommended.

Observing your gutter system in action is the best way to see whether it is time to replace it.

This assumes your gutters have been recently cleaned. Clogged gutters cause many problems, but they do not always mean replacement is needed. In some cases, a high quality leaf protection system can help.

Start with the obvious signs

Look first for overflow.

If water is overflowing where the downspout connects to the gutter, the gutter itself is doing its job. The bottleneck is usually the downspout. In this case, the downspout is undersized.

If water is overflowing away from the downspout, you will likely need to upgrade to a larger gutter.

Watch for water behind the gutter

Another major failure point is backflow. This occurs when water runs behind the gutter and drips down the fascia board.

This is not always easy to see, especially during heavy rain. Water behind the gutter can quietly rot the fascia, so it is important to address it sooner rather than later.

Dripping corners are a warning sign

Dripping corners are a primary point of concern.

They can ruin paint and cause fascia rot. One homeowner in our history had five corners with rotted fascia. The rest of the gutter system was still working fine.

They wished the problem had been addressed earlier, before the extra damage and expense.

If corners continue to drip for hours after the rain stops, it usually means water is standing in the gutter. Standing water tells us the gutter is not sloped properly.

In some cases, slope issues can be repaired. Replacement always corrects the slope and stops the dripping.

Sagging or damaged gutters

Sagging or visibly damaged gutters are a clear sign that replacement is needed.

These gutters will often overflow during heavy rain and usually indicate structural failure or long term stress from water weight.

Inspect your downspouts closely

After checking the gutters, inspect the downspouts.

Stand close to the wall and look behind the downspout. There is a vertical seam that runs the full length. This seam is the first place downspouts fail.

If you see a bulge, it is likely leaking. You may not notice active dripping. Often it is just a thin film of water clinging to the metal.

Bulging downspouts should be replaced.

When replacement makes the most sense

There are two situations where gutter replacement is usually the smart decision.

• Your gutters are over 20 years old and you are installing a new roof.
• You are having new siding installed on your home.

In both cases, replacing the gutters at the same time improves the final result and avoids future removal and reinstallation costs.