Home gutters are an essential element of your home's exterior. When your home's gutters are failing or just beginning to age and sag, you will need to arrange for the right repairs. Here are some recommendations to help you recognize gutter problems and install a new successful gutter system to promote the best exterior drainage. 

Recognize Signs of Damage

There are several different signs of damage to your existing gutters that you can look for, with some of them likely in plain sight but you have not taken notice of them and what they are from. Look for signs of leaks on your gutters themselves during a rain storm or when spring snow is melting from your roof. You can also spray water from your garden hose onto your roof to mimic the rainfall draining down into your gutter system. This will give you the chance to look at the gutter's corners, seams, and connection points for any leaks from these areas. Also check for the end caps for any drips or leaks coming from them. 

There will also be signs of leaky gutters from the outside of your home where paint is peeling off from excessive moisture exposure. If you have any wood trim around the outside of your windows, this may begin to rot and turn moldy. And also, if you have moisture seeping into your basement or home foundation, this is a sign of too much saturation in the soil, which usually comes from dripping and leaking gutters. Contact your local gutter professional for an inspection and a consultation about replacing or repairing your existing gutters.

Plan Your Gutter Installation

When you realize it is time for new gutters, there are several details you need to consider. For proper gutter installation, the gutters need to be installed onto the lower edges of your roof and then slope downward toward the downspout connections. If the slope is incorrect, your rainfall drainage will pool in the gutters and create too much weight which will pull them off from your home. However, a professional installation will ensure this is completed properly. You should also make sure to install larger capacity gutters below sections of your roof that are larger. This can also be paired with a wider downspout to handle the influx of rainfall. Seamless gutters are a great option when you are guttering a large length of roofing edge, which eliminates the potential for the seams to corrode and break apart in the future.

Choose gutters that will enhance the appearance of your home's exterior and downspouts that are strategically placed so they don't stand out visibly. You can choose a gutter that is coated in a color that matches your home's exterior, and a gutter style that looks similar to crown molding to beautify your home's appearance.