Gutter Installation, Gutter Repair and Downspouts

Why gutters matter so much in the Pacific Northwest

A roof sheds a large amount of water in a steady Northwest rain. Without working gutters, that water falls straight off the roof edge. It splashes onto siding and windows, soaks the fascia boards, erodes flower beds, and collects next to the foundation. Over time that can mean rotted trim, damp crawlspaces, and water in basements. Properly working gutters and downspouts collect that water and move it away from the house.

New gutter installation

Good gutters are more than a channel hung on the edge of the roof. When we plan new gutters, we look at:

• Size. The gutters and downspouts need to handle the amount of water your roof sends them. Steep or large roof sections carry more water and may need larger gutters or more downspouts.
• Slope. Gutters need a slight, consistent pitch toward the downspouts so water does not sit and overflow.
• Downspout placement. Enough downspouts, in the right places, so no single section is overloaded.
• Secure attachment. Hangers fastened firmly into sound fascia, so gutters hold up under the weight of water and debris.
• The roof edge. How the gutter sits in relation to the drip edge and shingles, so water lands in the gutter instead of running behind it.

If you are planning a roof replacement, it is often a good time to replace old gutters too.

Gutter repair

Many gutter problems can be fixed without replacing the whole system. Signs your gutters need attention include:

• sections that sag or pull away from the house,
• dripping seams, corners, or end caps,
• water spilling over the front, or running down behind the gutter, during heavy rain,
• peeling paint, stains, or soft spots on the fascia boards behind the gutter,
• puddles or washed-out soil along the foundation.

Repairs can include re-securing or adding hangers, resealing joints, correcting the slope, and replacing damaged sections. If the gutters are too small for the roof or worn out overall, we will tell you when replacement is the better value.

Downspouts: where the water ends up

A gutter is only as good as its downspouts. A clogged or undersized downspout makes the whole gutter overflow, and a downspout that dumps water right at the foundation just moves the problem a few feet. We install and repair downspouts, add downspouts where a long gutter run needs more drainage, and use extensions or splash blocks to carry water away from the house. Where the water can go also depends on your property and on local stormwater rules, and we will talk that through with you.

Gutters FAQ

Keeping gutters clear is just as important as installing them well. See gutter cleaning and gutter guards.