So, your gutters aren’t working anymore. You’ve tried cleaning them out as a solution, but to no avail. Instead of attempting the cleaning process again, a simple visual inspection of you gutters could lead you in the right direction. Here are 3 top signs that your gutters need to be replaced.  (If you see any of the following three signs on your gutters, it’s time to call Charlotte’s top rated Gutter and Roofing specialist, H & S Roofing & Gutter.)

Sign 1.  Your gutters have visible cracks or are split.

This is not a repair that can be trusted to some duct tape — the gutters are leaking and extensive water damage to your home can occur.  Even if your gutters only have small, tiny cracks, they will need to be replaced because today’s seemingly insignificant cracks will quickly turn into larger ones.

Sign 2.  Peeling paint around your gutters.

This is a dead give-away that your gutters are leaking water! Water causes paint to peel.  If there’s peeling paint near the gutters or underneath the gutters, this is also an indicator that water damage (due to leaking gutters) is occurring.  If the damage is ignored and the gutters don’t get replaced, your home could suffer extensive structural injury and repairs could be very expensive, perhaps even unaffordable. Even the foundations of your home can be compromised due to water damage caused by broken gutters.

Sign 3.   There is water damage along with water marks directly underneath or below seamless gutters and sectional gutters.

These two things show that the gutters are broken or faulty.  While it may not be possible to see the damage while it is raining, inspect the gutters on a dry sunny day.  The sun will dry out the water, but damaged areas will have water marks or dark stains.