Short answer: leaking corners, loose hangers and clogged downspouts are usually cheap repairs. If gutters are sectional and leaking at several joints, or the fascia behind them is rotted, replacement is usually the better spend.
What the symptom tells you
Dripping at a corner or end cap
The sealant has failed. It's the most common gutter repair there is. We clean the joint down to bare metal, re-rivet if needed and reseal. If the corner has been leaking for years, check the fascia underneath — it's often soft.
A run sagging in the middle
Hangers have pulled out or were spaced too far apart, or the gutter has been holding standing water and debris. We re-hang it with hidden hangers into solid wood. If the screws won't bite, the fascia is rotted and needs replacing in that section.
Water pouring over the front edge
Three usual causes, in order: the downspout is clogged, the gutter is full of debris, or the gutter isn't pitched toward the outlet. If none of those, the gutter is too small for that section of roof — common where two roof planes meet in a valley. A larger downspout or a second outlet often solves it without replacing the gutter.
Water running behind the gutter
Usually there's no drip edge, or the back of the gutter isn't tucked under it. Water gets behind, runs down the fascia and rots it. It's a fixable install mistake, but catch it early.
Gutter pulling away from the house
That's almost always rotted fascia or failed spikes. It's worth fixing quickly: a loose gutter full of wet leaves can weigh a lot and will take the fascia with it.
Repair or replace?
A rough rule we use: if the repair price is creeping past about half of what a new seamless run would cost, replace. Other signs it's time:
- Sectional (10-foot piece) gutters leaking at several joints
- Rust on old steel gutters, or splits along the bottom
- Paint peeling off the fascia along most of the house
- Gutters too small for the roof — they'll overflow no matter what
If it's a repair, we'll tell you. Sometimes a $200 fix is all it takes.
Leaks you might mistake for gutter problems
A drip inside the house near an exterior wall is more often a flashing or roof issue than a gutter one. Water staining on soffits can come from either. We'll look, but if it's the roof, we'll say so and suggest you call a roofer.
Common questions
How much does gutter repair cost?
Simple repairs like resealing a corner or re-hanging a short section often fall in the $150–$400 range. Fascia replacement or several problem areas cost more. You'll get a written price before any work starts.
Why do my gutters overflow at one corner?
That's usually where a roof valley sends water from two roof sections into one spot. A bigger downspout, an added outlet or a splash guard on the corner fixes most of these.
Can you fix gutters that are pulling away from the house?
Yes. We replace the rotted fascia behind them, then re-hang the gutter with hidden hangers into solid wood.