Ideally, the life expectancy of the average aluminum gutter is 20-30 years or longer, copper gutters may last 50 years, and galvanized steel gutters will last 20 years or less. Durability depends on maintenance, the care you take putting ladders against them, and regional weather conditions in your area. Debris accumulation is the leading cause of gutter problems.

Loose debris will quickly begin to decompose, become coherent and compress into a solid mass as it becomes damp, thus causing gutter clogs and “bridges” over the top of the gutter that can cause water to cascade or trickle over the gutter edge. That stream might go down your outer wall and cause water stains. That trickle might find a nook between the underside of the gutter and the outer wall. That trickle can cause unseen damage.

Depending on the style of gutter, where it is on the roof (the side versus the corner), how it is attached to the roof, and how much ladder damage there is, there may be problem spots over time that you don’t see that can become bigger problems.

Debris accelerates wear and backs water up under the shingles. Water under the shingles can cause the shingles to warp and/or separate from the roof. The moisture from the water can cause rot or mold under the shingles and that can lead to house interior environmental issues.

Clogged gutters can also lead to:

Basement flooding

Foundation cracks and settlement

Soil erosion

Dry-rot on fascia boards, soffit, and roof

Paint damage

Window, door and siding damage

Mold damage

Fire damage in dry, high wind, fire-prone areas