Though they seem small, gutters are an important part of your home. They collect and funnel water away from the roof and the foundation of your house, protecting them from water damage and extending their lifespan. Gutters also prevent the water from pooling in your yard or elsewhere, but they can’t do this all-important work forever.

Eventually, gutters need to be repaired or replaced, and many homeowners don’t realize this until their gutters start to sag away from their home. These sagging gutters could be the result of trapped debris or heavy snowfall. They could be caused by a clog somewhere in the downspout. Whatever the case, sagging gutters need to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage or collapse.

Symptoms of Sagging Gutters

When a gutter begins to sag, it can be a real eyesore. But the real issue lies in the serious damage that can occur. As it pulls away from your home, the gutter may crack or bend. Sections that do may need to be replaced entirely rather than repaired. Otherwise, these areas may lead to leaks or give your gutter a jagged, uneven look.

Sagging gutters can cause water damage to your roof or any area where the overflowing water collects. This can be a huge inconvenience in day-to-day life, especially if it collects in front of your home’s entrance or walkways. Any blockages in the gutter can worsen the problem and increase the risk of water damage.

Sometimes these leaks and spills happen due to the age of the gutters. Most gutters last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, but during that time they can experience a lot of wear and tear. As such, it’s important to look for sagging or poor gutter performance even if there are no signs of a blockage. The cost to repair sagging gutters like these can vary, but it’s likely to be lower the sooner you fix the problem.

There are steps you can take to repair sagging gutters and solve performance issues without replacing the gutter as a whole. In some cases, replacing the gutter may be unavoidable, but before you invest in a whole new system, investigate the state of the current one to see if repairs are desired and possible. After all, there’s no sense in replacing your gutters entirely because of a blockage in a single section.

Once you’ve evaluated your gutters and decided you want to salvage them, clear any blockages and try one of the three repair methods below.

Replacing Gutter Hangers

Many modern gutters use hangers — a two-piece system that connects the gutter to your roof’s fascia board via a bracket and an attached hook that snaps into the gutter itself. These hangers can become loose or damaged over time, which often results in a sagging gutter. To replace them, you should:

  1. Identify how many hangers need to be replaced and acquire new ones from a local hardware store.
  2. Measure and mark the distance between the existing brackets and drill new holes at the same distance and height relative to one another. Reusing the old holes may weaken the board and result in poor support for the hangers. The holes you drill should also be slightly smaller than the screws you plan to use so that they can fit tightly into the fascia board.
  3. Screw the new brackets into the fascia board. As you do so, remove the old hangers and hook the new hangers into the edge of the gutter.
  4. Repeat until all the hangers have been replaced, and your gutter is no longer sagging. Then, fill the old bracket holes with caulk and clear out any remaining debris from the gutter.

Replacing Gutter Spikes

Some gutters rely on spikes rather than hangers to keep them in place. These, too, consist of two pieces — the spikes themselves and the ferrule, which helps secure the spikes to the fascia board. Gutter spikes are more common in older gutter systems, so it may be harder to find replacement parts. That said, the replacement process is fairly straightforward:

  1. Evaluate the state of the gutter spikes in the sagging section. If they’ve just gotten loose, you can likely tap them back into place with a hammer and resecure the ferrule. However, they will need to be replaced if they are broken or damaged.
  2. Acquire the necessary number of gutter spikes from a local hardware store. Threaded spikes are more reliable, but unthreaded spikes can still get the job done.
  3. Remove the old spikes with a hammer or pry bar. You may need to apply a bit of elbow grease. Once the old spike has been removed, clean up any wood chips or debris to prevent future blockages.
  4. Insert the new spikes and tap them into place with a hammer. Then, secure them via the ferrule.
  5. Repeat until the gutter returns to its former position.

Replacing Gutter Brackets

Other gutters are connected to the fascia board via brackets. These brackets come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but generally speaking, they rely on screws or nails to keep them in place, and the bracket, in turn, keeps the gutter in place. Over time, the screws or nails may loosen or strain due to blockages or adverse weather conditions. The brackets as a whole may even get rusty or weak. Should either occur, you can replace the brackets using the following method:

  1. Identify how many brackets need to be replaced. In some cases, you may only need to purchase new screws or nails, but other times, you will have to replace the entire bracket. You should be able to find both at your local hardware store.
  2. Measure and mark the distance between the existing brackets. The new brackets should be spaced similarly and sit at the same heights as the brackets they’re replacing.
  3. Unscrew the brackets one by one, clearing out any debris as you go. If your brackets use nails, you will need to use a hammer to pry them out.
  4. Screw each new bracket into the fascia board after you remove the old bracket. It should be screwed in tightly enough to hold the gutter securely against the fascia board without sagging but not so tight as to strip the wood.
  5. Repeat until the gutter is secure once again. Then, fill the old holes with caulk to keep the wood strong and supported.

Standards Through The Roof® — Repair or Replace Your Gutters With AmeriPro Roofing

Knowing how to fix sagging gutters doesn’t necessarily make it easy or convenient for your schedule. With AmeriPro Roofing, you don’t need to make time for repairs or run to the store for supplies you forgot. We’ve completed over 150,000 successful roofing projects in over a dozen states, so you can schedule a time for us to provide quality gutter repairs or replacements that will restore your home’s beauty.

To learn more, fill out our contact form or give us a call at 800-200-8151.