Gutter Replacement

Signs it is time for new gutters

• Sagging or pulling away along several runs, not just one spot
• Cracks, splits, rust spots or holes in the trough
• Seams that leak again soon after being resealed
• Peeling paint or soft, dark wood on the fascia behind the gutters
• Water pooling against the foundation or eroding beds below the eaves
• Old sectional gutters with many joints, or gutters that overflow even when clean

Taking the old gutters down

Old gutters come off run by run. Spikes, hangers and straps are pulled, downspouts are unfastened from the wall, and everything is hauled away. Older steel or heavily patched gutters can come down in pieces, so the crew protects plantings and keeps the work area clear. Removal is also when you see what has been happening behind the gutter for years.

Checking the fascia

With the gutters off, the fascia board is exposed along its whole length. Water that spilled behind a sagging or overflowing gutter often rots the wood, especially on older New Jersey homes with original wood fascia. Soft, discolored or crumbling sections are cut out and replaced before anything new is hung, because hidden hangers need sound wood to hold. Fascia repair is quoted separately so you can see exactly what was found.

Matching or upgrading downspouts

Replacement is the time to rethink downspouts. Old 2x3 downspouts can be upsized to 3x4, which carry twice as much water and clog less under oak and maple trees. Adding a downspout to a long run, or moving one away from a walkway that freezes in winter, costs little when everything is new. Downspouts are formed in the same color as the gutters so the system matches. If the house has underground drains, the new downspouts are connected to the existing openings.

Choosing the new system

Most replacements use seamless aluminum K-style gutters in 5-inch or 6-inch. Older and historic homes may suit half-round or copper, and homes with built-in gutters face a separate choice between relining and converting. If a roof replacement is due within a few years, plan the two together so new gutters hang behind new drip edge.