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Gutter installation costs from $4 to $30 per linear foot. Cost factors include linear footage, type of gutter, and material (aluminum, copper, etc.). The number and length of downspouts also impact the cost. Roof repairs are another potential cost. Optional add-ons include gutter guards or gutter screens to keep debris out of the gutters.

Several telltale signs indicate that it’s time to replace your gutters. The most common signs include:

• Peeling paint

• Standing water in your gutters

• Pulling away from the roof line

• Leaking behind the gutters

• Widening, leaking gaps in the seams of your gutters

• Cracking 

• Sagging gutters 

• Rusting

• Growing mold

• Soaking foundation walls

Although installing or replacing gutters doesn’t usually add directly to the value of your home, it can help maintain the value of your home by preventing water damage from overflowing or leaking. Aside from the practical preventative maintenance, a neat, clean new gutter system can certainly add to your home’s curb appeal.

The most common problem with gutters is clogs and improper drainage. The most common cause is when surrounding trees drop leaves, blossoms, seeds, and other debris into your gutters. Debris gets wet and soggy in the gutter and blocks the opening of the downspout to prevent water from draining. Even moderate to steady rain can cause water to overflow the gutters. Clean the gutters as safely as possible every spring and fall. You may have to clean them out more than once when lots of leaves are falling over the course of several weeks.

Leaking gutters can cause major problems in your home, which is why cleaning your gutters is important. Water leaking behind the gutters can cause the wood at the edge of your roof and even part of the roof to rot. When gutters and downspouts leak, the ground next to the foundation becomes saturated and can end up causing cracks and water leaks in your basement or crawl space. Overflowing gutters can cause moisture problems with windows and exterior walls.

When regularly maintained, gutters should last 20 years or more. Materials like steel, aluminum, and copper tend to last longer than vinyl. It’s hard to overemphasize the importance of maintaining your gutters and downspouts to help them last as long as possible. Leaving debris to collect and rot can increase corrosion of metal gutters over time.