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Patching the Same Gutters? Gutter Replacement in Atlanta

Old gutters that drip at every joint keep wetting the fascia. Call Decatur Spout for a measuring visit to settle whether it's time to replace them.

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Repair or replace: the signs that decide it

Plenty of older gutters around Atlanta are still worth fixing, and the installer weighs these signs on the visit.

What you seeUsuallyWhy
One corner or end cap drips Repair Reseal or replace that one piece.
Joints drip in several places, some already patched Replace The sealant is giving out everywhere, and each patch buys a season.
One run sags Repair Rehang it on screwed hangers in sound wood.
Runs sag in several places, all on nailed spikes Replace The spikes are the problem on every run.
A few rust spots on steel gutters Repair Patch them and keep the gutters clean.
Rust along the bottom of the runs Replace Steel rusting from the inside is past patching.
Overflow along every run in ordinary rain Replace Undersized gutters or too few downspouts for the roof.
Rotted fascia along a whole side Replace The gutters have to come off for the board work anyway.

Fixes for a sound system are on the gutter repair page.

Water dripping from a joint in an old gutter, with stains running down the fascia
Drips at the joints
Gutter sagging away from the roof edge of a brick ranch in the rain
A run sagging off the eave
Grass and a maple sapling growing out of a neglected gutter
Years of neglect in the trough

How long aluminum gutters really last

About 20 years is the life the National Association of Home Builders gives aluminum and galvanized steel gutters, and Consumers' Checkbook says the same. Copper gets more than 50. Aluminum downspouts last about 30 years in the builders' study.

Those are averages. The builders' study says installation, upkeep and weather all move them, and under Atlanta's pines upkeep mostly means keeping wet debris out. Nearly three in ten DeKalb County homes were built between 1960 and 1979, so plenty of local gutters hang on houses 47 to 66 years old.

Bigger gutters and downspouts during replacement

If the old gutters spilled in heavy rain, replacement is the cheapest moment to fix it. The new runs can go up as 6-inch with 3x4 downspouts, or get an extra outlet on a long wall.

The sizing section on the home page covers how Atlanta's rain sets it, and the one-piece gutter page lists what belongs on the quote.

What comes to light when the old gutters come off

Tear-off is the one day the whole roof edge is open to view. Ask the installer to show you what turned up before the new runs go up.

The measuring visit shows what's behind yours.

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  • Fascia

    Soft or split boards where water ran behind the old gutters get replaced first. The fascia repair page explains why the hangers depend on it.

  • Drip edge

    The metal strip at the roof edge that sends water into the gutter instead of behind it. Georgia's residential code requires it on shingle roofs. If it's missing or short, now is the time to add it.

  • Downspout drains

    Ask for buried lines to be flushed before the new downspouts tie in, so a hidden clog doesn't undo the new gutters.

  • Old fastener holes

    Spike holes in sound fascia should be filled so water doesn't follow them into the wood.

Rotted fascia board with peeling paint behind an old gutter
Rot hiding behind an old gutter
New white K-style gutter and its end cap on a painted fascia
A new run with its end cap

Questions about replacing gutters

Can you replace one side of the house only?
Yes, as long as the new run matches the old gutters in size and profile where they meet at a corner. If the rest is close behind, doing it all at once saves a second setup.
Does removing the old gutters come with the job?
It should, along with hauling them away. Ask for the price in writing with removal and disposal listed, so nothing gets added on the day.
Will the new gutters match my trim color?
Usually. Painted aluminum coil comes in a range of colors, and some lines carry a 20-year factory finish warranty. On the visit, ask to hold the color chart against your trim.

We'll ask what your gutters are made of and how old they are, since both say a lot about the wood behind them.

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