The most important way to maintain your gutters is to clean them regularly. You should clean your gutters at least twice a year and after storms. If you have a lot of trees around your property, you may need to clean your gutters more often. Basic gutter cleaning usually involves using a scoop to remove leaves and debris and then flushing the gutters with your garden hose.
To complete this type of gutter repair, there are a few steps you should follow each season. In the spring, check for cracks and sagging that may occur due to increased rain. The summer is a great time to install gutter shields. In the fall, it’s important to clean out all the debris to help avoid clogging. And winter is prime time for ice damming, so you need to keep an eye on your gutters all year round.
If you notice issues like major sagging, leaks, or gutters coming off of the fascia, you need to get these issues fixed right away. Small rodents and pests making your gutter their home is also cause for major repairs. Nests will cause major clogging, which can lead to mosquitos and other pests. What is more, if water is not being channeled away from your home properly, that could lead to a host of bigger, far more expensive problems, including damage to your roof and foundation.
While gutters can get damaged in lots of ways, there are a few common causes that you should know about. This can help you better prepare to address them with the proper gutter repairs.
Gutter repair cost typically ranges between $179 and $560, with the average falling at $369. Professional contractors will charge between $4 and $30 per linear foot for labor. The cost of gutter repair is impacted by house height, type of gutter, gutter length, and the type of repair.
The two main shapes of gutters are square and curved. Squared off gutters can be fastened directly to the fascia of the home, so they tend to be less expensive to repair and replace. Square gutters average between $10 and $30 per linear foot to install. Curved gutters, on the other hand, need brackets to be installed and so they cost between $40 and $100 per linear foot to repair. If the fascia needs to be repaired, then the cost will be an additional $6 to $20 per linear foot. The type of material you choose will also impact the cost. Vinyl is the least expensive, followed by aluminum, and then steel and copper.
An additional cost factor to keep in mind is the number of stories your home has. A single-story home will cost an average of $170 for repairs. However, the cost goes up by around $200 for each story you add.
The cost of doing gutter repairs yourself can start small: the cost of tools, section replacements, and caulking are among the most common things you’ll need. However, when it comes to gutters, mistakes can be costly. What is more, gutter repair requires getting up on a ladder, which can be dangerous. For these reasons, most of the time it’s best to call in a professional to help you with your gutter repairs.
Learn more about our most frequently asked questions
Use tin snips to cut a section that is 4 inches longer than the damaged section. Clean the cut ends with a wire brush so the sealant sticks. Caulk the ends, center the patch and then press into the caulk.
The industry average for labor ranges between $4 and $30 per linear foot. So an average job will cost between $1,600 and $2,175.
If the damage is small, gutters can just be repaired. But, if there are issues with the fascia or major sagging then the gutters may need to be replaced.
The most reliable gutter sealer is a liquid rubber waterproof sealant.
Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, in the fall and the spring. Be sure to clean your gutters after major storms as well.
