How to Tell If Your Gutters Need Replacement (Instead of Repair)

What You’re Seeing vs. What It Means

• Leaking corners and seams during storms: failed sealant or distorted joints; common on older sectional gutters.
• Overflow even after cleaning: poor pitch, undersized downspouts, or long runs that outflow capacity.
• Sagging or runs pulling away: loose/undersized hangers or rotted fascia behind the gutter.
• Rust, pinholes, peeling paint: age-related corrosion—often means the metal’s at the end of its life.
• Water pooling around the foundation: downspouts dumping too close or poor grading—causes basement moisture.
• Ice sheets at the eaves in winter: clogs + cold edges + warm attic air; seams fail and water backs up.

When a Repair Is the Right Call

Not every problem needs a full swap-out. If I can fix it right and make it last, that’s what I’ll recommend. Here’s when a repair usually makes sense:

• Isolated seam leaks: One or two corners are dripping; we clean, prep, and reseal with long-life sealants.
• Short-run sags: Runs slipped because of loose or sparse hangers; we rehang, tighten spacing, and correct pitch.
• Downspout issues: Poor outlet location or crushed sections; we relocate or replace to get water away from the foundation.
• Limited corrosion: A small steel section shows pinholes; we swap the section and color-match.

Example (Lakewood): A 1990s ranch had one corner seam split and a downspout dumping right into flower beds. We resealed the corner, added an extension, and redirected the outlet—problem solved without replacing the whole side.

When Gutter Replacement Is the Smarter Move

Here’s when I tell a homeowner, “You’ll spend less over the next ten years if we stop patching and replace the system.”

• Seams failing everywhere: Old sectional gutters leaking at multiple joints after every storm.
• Runs pulling away with fascia rot: If the wood behind the gutter is soft, patching won’t hold. We repair fascia and hang a new run correctly.
• Chronic overflow despite cleaning: Usually pitch problems or runs that are simply undersized for the roof area—common on steep Denver rooflines.
• Age and metal fatigue: Peeling paint, rust, waves—metal is tired across the board.
• Ice-dam damage at eaves: Repeated winter failures have distorted the trough; a new, properly pitched seamless run reduces risk.

Example (Arvada): A 25-year-old sectional system leaked at nearly every joint. After two rounds of reseal over the years, we replaced with seamless aluminum and added a second downspout on a long valley. Overflow and basement dampness stopped immediately.

What’s Included with a Professional Gutter Replacement

Material Choices, Sizes, and Return on Investment

• Aluminum: Most popular for homes—rust resistant, cost-effective, available in many colors. Typical lifespan 20–30 years in Denver.
• Steel: Heavier and strong under snow loads; needs proper coating to resist rust. Typical lifespan 15–20 years.
• Copper: Premium look and 40+ years of service; common on historic or high-end homes.

5″ vs 6″ K-style: Standard homes do fine with 5″, but steep roofs, big valleys, and large roof areas often justify 6″ capacity. In spring downpours and during rapid snowmelt, 6″ prevents chronic overflow.

ROI: Seamless systems reduce leaks, protect siding and fascia, and keep water away from the foundation. That means fewer paint jobs, fewer soffit/fascia repairs, and a drier basement—real savings over time.

Pricing & Timelines in the Denver Metro

• Repairs: $195–$450 for minor reseals and small rehanging; $450–$900 for multi-corner fixes and re-pitching.
• Partial replacement: $900–$1,800+ depending on length, access, and fascia work.
• Full seamless replacement: Typically $2,000–$4,500 for a standard single-family Denver home. Larger/complex rooflines vary.

Most projects schedule within the week; many repairs are completed in one visit after inspection. Full replacements are often one day on standard homes.

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Our Process

1. Inspection & Photos: We walk the roofline, check fascia, pitch, outlets, and capture photos.
2. Plan & Options: You’ll see what’s repairable and what’s not—with costs for each route.
3. Repair or Replacement: We do it right—clean prep, correct hangers, proper slope, outlets that actually move water.
4. Clean Up & Walkthrough: We leave your place cleaner than we found it and review photos of the finished work.

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Service Area – Denver Metro & the Front Range

Denver, Englewood, Littleton, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Aurora, Thornton, Westminster, Northglenn, Commerce City, Parker, Highlands Ranch, and nearby communities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready for Straight Answers?

We’ll inspect, show you photos, and lay out both options. Repair if possible, replace when it’s truly the smarter move.