Sagging and Leaking Gutters Repaired in Philadelphia
Most gutters that misbehave are not worn out. A few loose hangers, a dried-out seam or a disconnected downspout can make a sound gutter overflow, drip or pull away from the house.
Gutter repair in Philadelphia usually means rehanging a sagging run, resealing leaking seams and end caps, or reattaching a loose downspout. When the gutter itself is sound, repair is far cheaper than replacement. We also check the fascia or brick the gutter hangs from, because a gutter only stays up if what holds it is solid.
Why Gutters Sag, Leak and Pull Away
Hangers work loose as wood fascia softens or old spikes rust, and a gutter full of wet leaves and ice is heavy. Seams and end caps are sealed with caulk that dries out after years of sun and frost. Downspouts get knocked off at the elbow.
Each problem has a simple fix when caught early. Left alone, a sagging gutter holds water that rots the fascia behind it, and the repair gets bigger.
What Sets the Price of a Gutter Repair
- Length affectedA few hangers or a full run.
- Fascia conditionRotted boards replaced before rehanging.
- HeightUpper floors and tight alleys need more setup.
- PartsHangers, sections, elbows and downspout pieces.
- Clogs and cleaningClearing debris before repairs can start.
Gutter repairs are small jobs priced by what is found, so we quote after looking at the run and what it hangs from.
What You Can Fix and What Needs a Ladder Pro
Some gutter jobs are homeowner jobs. Anything high or structural is not.
What a homeowner can safely do
- Clear a clogged downspout from ground level
- Reattach a low downspout elbow
- Add splash blocks or extensions
Where it needs a roofer
- Anything above a single-story ladder
- Rehanging and repitching a gutter run
- Fascia or masonry the gutter hangs from
Sagging Gutter and Hanger Repair
A sagging gutter holds water at its low point, overflows there and pulls further from the house every storm. We remove failed spikes or hangers, check that the fascia behind is solid, and rehang the run on new hidden hangers at closer spacing, restoring its pitch toward the downspout. Where the fascia has rotted, a section is replaced first so the new hangers have something to grip. On brick-backed rowhome gutters, hangers are anchored into sound mortar joints or masonry rather than loose brick.
Leaking Seam and End Cap Repair
Drips from a gutter seam, a corner or an end cap usually mean the sealant has cracked or pulled away. The gutter is cleaned and dried at the joint, the old sealant scraped out, and new gutter sealant applied inside the seam. Loose end caps are refastened before sealing. Where a section has rusted through, which happens on old steel gutters, a short piece is replaced. If leaks run along most of the seams, a new run formed on site in one length can remove most of the joints for good.
Downspout Reattachment and Replacement
Downspouts come loose at the elbows, get crushed by a car or trash can, or clog where they bend. We clear the clog, reconnect or replace damaged sections and elbows, and fasten the downspout to the wall with new straps. The outlet at the gutter is checked for a proper connection so water drops into the downspout rather than around it. At the bottom, we make sure water is carried away from the foundation rather than pooling against the wall.
Gutter hanging loose after the storm?
Call and we rehang it before it tears the fascia.
What We See on Philadelphia Roofs
Many of Mayfair's larger rowhouses were built with rear parking garages, so a failed rear gutter or downspout sends roof water straight down onto the garage entrance and the paving behind the house. Philadelphia's Rain Check program offers a free rain barrel and $100 downspout planters that catch that water at the house, and a repaired downspout is a good time to connect one.
How a Gutter Repair Runs
- 1
Look at the whole run
Sags, seams, hangers and downspouts checked.
- 2
Check what holds it
Fascia or brick behind the gutter tested.
- 3
Clean it out
Debris removed so repairs seal.
- 4
Rehang and reseal
Hangers, pitch and seams restored.
- 5
Fix the downspouts
Clogs cleared, sections reconnected.
- 6
Flush and test
Water run through to confirm drainage.
Signs Your Gutters Need Repair
Water spilling over the edge
A clog, a sag or too few downspouts.
Drips at seams and corners
Sealant has failed.
Gutter pulling from the house
Hangers or fascia have let go.
Peeling paint or stains below
Water is running behind the gutter.
Downspout loose or crushed
Water is not reaching the ground outlet.
Puddles against the foundation
Water is ending up at the wall.
Gutter Repair Questions
Repair when the gutter metal is sound. Replace when it is rusted through, badly bent or leaking at many seams.
It may be sagging, pitched the wrong way, or short on downspouts.
Yes, with copper parts and solder, matched to the existing run.
They can. Water held at the edge rots the fascia and roof deck behind it.
Every spring and fall, and after big storms.
More Exterior & Water Management Work in Philadelphia
Get Your Gutters Draining Again
Call and tell us where the water is going wrong. We fix the gutter and what holds it up.