Many gutter problems can be fixed without replacing the whole system. A leaking corner, a sagging run or a downspout that pulled loose in a storm is often a short repair, and fixing it early keeps water away from the fascia, siding and foundation.
Common gutter problems
- Leaking joints and corners: the sealant at corners, end caps and downspout outlets dries out and cracks over time.
- Sagging sections: hangers loosen, bend or pull out of the fascia, often from the weight of water, debris or ice.
- Gutters pulling away from the house: usually loose fasteners, but sometimes a sign the fascia board behind is rotting.
- Overflowing: the gutter or downspout is clogged, the slope is wrong, or the gutter is too small for the roof.
- Holes and rust: more common on old steel gutters than on aluminum.
- Detached downspouts: elbows and straps come apart, dumping water right next to the foundation.
What a repair usually involves
A gutter technician will clear the gutter and downspouts so they can see the problem, then reseal leaking seams, replace end caps or corners, and refasten or add hangers along sagging runs. If the slope is off, they can reset the gutter so water flows toward the downspouts instead of pooling. Loose or crushed downspouts are reattached or replaced, and extensions can be added to carry water away from the house.
Checking the fascia
The fascia is the board along the roof edge that the gutters are attached to. When gutters overflow or leak for a long time, that board can rot, and new hangers will not hold in soft wood. A good repair includes checking the fascia and telling you if sections need to be replaced before the gutter goes back up.
Repair or replace?
Repair makes sense when the gutters are in reasonable shape and the problems are in a few spots. Replacement usually makes more sense when leaks are showing up all along old sectional gutters, when the gutters are badly bent or rusted, or when they are simply too small for the amount of water the roof sheds.
Questions worth asking
- What is causing the leak or sag?
- Is the fascia behind the gutter sound?
- Will you check that water flows to every downspout after the repair?
- At what point would replacement be the better value?
How long it takes
Most gutter repairs are done in one visit, often in a few hours. Fascia replacement or a large number of repairs can take longer, but is usually still a single day of work.
