When is gutter replacement the right choice?
Gutter replacement means removing an old or failing gutter system and installing a new one, usually seamless aluminum sized for the roof. It's the right choice when gutters are rusted through, leak at many joints, keep sagging despite repairs, or are too small to handle the roof's runoff. Replacing a worn-out system costs more upfront than repairs but stops the cycle of patching.
Signs you need new gutters
Rust, holes and cracks
Painted steel gutters rust from the inside out, and once rust has eaten through, patches don't last. Cracks and splits in the trough, especially on vinyl gutters that have become brittle in the sun, are another sign the system is at the end of its life.
Leaks at many joints
One or two leaky corners can be repaired. Leaks at seam after seam usually mean the whole system has aged out, and that's especially common with sectional gutters.
Repeated sagging
If gutters keep pulling away after rehanging, the metal may be too light, the hangers inadequate, or the fascia failing. Replacement lets the installer fix all three.
Overflow when the gutters are clean
Gutters that spill over in heavy rain even when clear are usually undersized, under-sloped or short on downspouts. Simply replacing them with the same size won't fix it.
Damage to fascia, soffits or the foundation area
Rotting fascia, stained soffits, eroded beds and water near the foundation show the gutters aren't doing their job. See fascia and soffit repair for what's behind the gutter.
Old vs. new gutter systems
| Common on older homes | Typical modern replacement |
|---|---|
| Sectional gutters with seams every 10 feet | Seamless runs formed on site, joints only at corners and outlets |
| Painted galvanized steel prone to rust | Aluminum with a baked-enamel finish, or copper |
| Spike-and-ferrule hangers that work loose | Screw-in hidden hangers, commonly every 2 to 3 feet |
| Small downspouts that clog easily | Larger downspouts where volume demands it |
| Downspouts draining at the wall | Extensions or underground drains carrying water away |
For the options available on a new system, including materials and styles, see gutter installation.
What happens during gutter replacement
- Assessment. The contractor checks the roofline, the fascia, existing downspout locations and where water has been causing problems.
- Removal. Old gutters, hangers and downspouts are taken down and hauled away.
- Fascia repair. Rotted or damaged fascia is replaced so the new gutters have solid backing.
- New installation. New gutters are formed, hung and pitched, and downspouts are placed and directed away from the house.
- Optional guards. If you want gutter guards, this is the most efficient time to add them.
Replacing gutters on Covina-area homes
Many houses around Covina were built in the decades after World War II, when housing replaced much of the area's citrus groves, and some still have older sectional or steel gutters, or gutters that have been patched many times. In West Covina, for example, many homes date from the 1950s building boom. A replacement is a chance to correct problems the original system never handled well, such as undersized gutters on a large tile roof or downspouts that drain onto a walkway. If you're also replacing the roof, coordinate the two so the new gutters fit the new roof edge. Learn more about rain gutters in Covina and how local conditions affect them.
Cost considerations
Replacement costs include removal and disposal of the old system, the new gutters and downspouts priced mostly by the linear foot, and any fascia repair found along the way. Material, gutter size and roof height also affect the total. See our gutter installation cost guide for a full list of factors, and compare written estimates that specify the same gutter size and metal thickness.