Roof gutters are exposed to weather conditions and natural elements 24/7, making them highly susceptible to damage. In the case that they’re left untreated, they can lead to water leaks, falling parts, and more. If you suspect your gutters need repairing, this guide is for you!
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about gutter repair, including the most common issues, their fixes, and how much they’ll cost you. And if you want to get your roof professionally inspected, get in touch with us today!
4 Common Gutter Repairs and Their Price Ranges
Gutters are the most susceptible roof parts to damage. Here are the four most common issues, their fixes, and how much they’ll cost:
1. Leaky Gutters
Gutters can leak water from cuts and cracks along the pipes, loose or weakened joints, or gaps due to wrong installation. The issue might seem minor at first, but if you leave it long enough, you risk your gutters collapsing or splitting. Also, the constant exposure of the rest of your building to water can cause rotting of materials, structural instability, and staining.
Fixes:
- Sealing cracks on existing gutters using a sealant material
- Tightening loose joints using screws
- Full gutter replacement if the issue is extensive
Price Range
A gutter leak repair costs anywhere from $100 to $250, depending on the extent of the damage and the materials needed to fix it. However, if you can’t get your gutters repaired and need to replace them, you should expect to pay about $600 to $2,000.
2. Sagging Gutters
Gutters carry a lot of weight till they drain properly, including rain, tree leaves, dust, and more. Over time, this weight can cause sagging, which in turn can result in a collapse. It’s one of the more serious gutter issues, and it often needs quick action. Most of the time, you’ll need a professional gutter repair service to deal with it.
This issue is especially common in aluminum gutters because they’re more likely to bend and dent than other types, like copper gutters.
Fixes:
- Gutter cleaning and draining to see if it returns to normal after removing the extra weight
- Changing the slope of the gutters to improve their draining
- Tightening the screws on your gutter hangers
- Replacing gutters
Price Range
A sagging gutter repair cost depends on the cause of the issue. If you only need to clean the gutters, you won’t have to pay a penny. However, if you need to change anything in their structure or replace gutters entirely, you’re looking to pay from $100 to $2,000.
3. Loose Downspouts
Downspouts are the continuity of your gutters down the length of the house. They’re responsible for draining water out of the pipes and away from your property. If they loosen from the gutters, water will trickle down the siding of your house and into your walls. Over time, this issue might cause water damage, staining, and mold growth on your walls.
Fixes:
- Adding a downspout drop outlet between the vertical pipe and the gutters
- Fixing the downspout along the length of the house using straps
- Replacing the downspout if it’s broken
Price Range
Downspouts come with the most affordable gutter repair costs on our list. You should only expect to pay $75-180.
4. Clogged Gutters
If large objects, like tree twigs, get stuck in your gutters, they may cause clogs anywhere from the start of the pipes till the end of the downspouts. Blockages in the gutter themselves are easier to fix because they’re visible, while downspouts are covered. Since blocked gutters can’t drain water properly, they might cause moisture to seep into your building’s wall and cause extensive issues.
Some people try to prevent this issue by installing gutter guards, which are mesh-like structures installed over the gutters to let only water in and not physical objects. While a gutter guard system can lessen the chance of blockages, it doesn’t entirely prevent them. You’ll still have to clean your gutter system regularly to remove obstacles.
Fixes:
- Getting up on a ladder, locating the blockage, and removing it
- Running a powerful flow of water down the downspouts to clean them
- Disassembling the downspouts and cleaning them manually
Price Range
Cleaning a visible obstacle will cost you nothing, but if you need to disassemble the downspout, you might need help from professional gutter repair services, which will cost you. The exact price depends on the labor costs where you live, but downspouts repairs usually range from $5 to $25 per linear foot.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Gutter Repair
There are two major factors that can affect the price you pay to repair gutters, and here’s a quick roundup of them:
Gutter Type
Gutters come in two types, seamless and sectional. Seamless gutters consist of a single piece of material that is installed and removed as a whole instead of in parts. They’re more expensive to repair because if any issue occurs, you need to replace your entire gutter system. Meanwhile, sectional gutters come in many pieces that are installed one by one.
Sectional gutter repair is more affordable because you can replace the affected part only without coming near the rest of the structure.
Gutter Material
Gutters come in many materials, including aluminum, copper, vinyl, galvanized steel, and wood.
Wood and copper gutters are among the most expensive types to repair, costing you about $30 per linear foot. Meanwhile, galvanized steel gutters are gentler on your pockets, coming with an average repair cost of $15.
Aluminum and vinyl gutters are the most affordable to install and repair, with an average cost of $6-8 per linear foot.
Other gutter repair cost factors are the average roofing labor wages in your city, the size of your roof, and the extent of the damage.
To Wrap Up
Gutter issues are a common occurrence in every household, but most of them are easily fixable, and some don’t even need professional help. The most common issues you’ll face are blockages, leaks, sagging, and loose downspouts.
But if you want an extensive roof inspection to ensure everything is working properly up there, get your instant roof quote here!
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