Most gutter problems are fixable without a new system: a sagging run gets rehung, a leaking corner gets resealed, a crushed downspout gets replaced, and a wrong slope gets reset. The key is finding the cause, because a gutter that overflows even when clean is usually a slope, downspout or sizing problem, not a dirt problem. West Austin Gutters diagnoses first and tells you in writing whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Common gutter problems we repair
Sagging gutters
Sagging is one of the most common gutter problems. Typical causes:
- Loose or failed hangers. Older spike-and-ferrule hangers work loose as the fascia swells and shrinks. We replace them with screw-in hidden hangers, about every 24 inches and closer where needed.
- Weight. Wet leaves, standing water and ladders bend the gutter. Clearing it and adding hangers usually fixes it.
- Soft fascia. If the wood behind the gutter is rotten, screws won’t hold. That needs fascia repair before the gutter can be rehung.
- Storm damage. Falling limbs from Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and the 2023 ice storm left many gutters bent or pulled away.
A gutter sagging in the middle usually means missing hangers or standing water. Sagging at the end or a corner often points to rot or a failed end cap.
Leaking corners and seams
Corners (miters), end caps and seams on sectional gutters are sealed with sealant, which ages in the Texas sun. We clean the joint down to bare metal, add rivets if needed, and reseal it from the inside with gutter-grade sealant. If a corner has split or keeps failing, we replace the miter.
Holes and rust spots
Small holes in aluminum can be patched with a metal patch, rivets and sealant. Rust on steel gutters spreads, so heavy rust usually means it’s time for replacement.
Standing water and wrong slope
Gutters need a slight fall to each outlet, following the gutter maker’s spec (makers publish minimums from 1/4 inch per 10 feet to 1/16 inch per foot). If water sits in the gutter, runs out the end instead of down the downspout, or the gutter tilts the wrong way, we reset the hangers to correct the pitch.
Downspout problems
We clear clogged downspouts, replace crushed or disconnected sections, reattach straps, and add or extend outlets so water lands away from the house. See downspouts and drainage.
Gutters pulling away from the house
When a gap opens between the gutter and fascia, water runs behind the gutter and rots the wood. We rehang the gutter tight to the fascia and check whether a gutter apron is needed so water from the shingles lands inside the gutter.
“My gutters are clean but still overflowing”
This is one of the top gutter searches, and the answer is usually one of these:
- Undersized gutter. Austin storms are intense. NOAA’s Atlas 14 puts a 5-minute burst at Camp Mabry around 6.3 inches per hour in a typical two-year storm. A 5-inch gutter under a big roof section or valley can’t carry that.
- Too few or too small downspouts. A 2×3 downspout has half the opening of a 3×4. One downspout serving a long run backs water up.
- Clogged downspout. The gutter looks clean, but the downspout elbow is packed with leaves or a tennis ball.
- Wrong slope. Water sits or flows away from the outlet.
- Valley overshoot. Water off a roof valley shoots past the gutter lip. A diverter or splash guard at the valley helps.
- Gutter guard shedding water. A guard set at the wrong angle or coated with debris sends water over the front.
We test with a hose, watch where water goes, and fix the cause. Sometimes that’s a new downspout, not new gutters.
How we do gutter repairs
- Inspect the whole system, not just the spot you called about. We check slope, hangers, seams, downspouts and fascia, and photograph what we find.
- Explain repair vs replace. If replacement is the better value, we’ll show you why. If repair is enough, we’ll say that.
- Match materials. We repair aluminum with aluminum and use matching sizes and colors where available.
- Water test. We run water through repaired sections before we leave.
Small gutter repair jobs
Many Austin homeowners say gutter companies won’t take small jobs, or that minimums are high. Ask us about small repairs: one corner, one sagging run, one downspout. If a minimum charge applies, it will be on the written quote before any work is scheduled.
Why gutters break down in Austin
- Rain timing. May (about 5.0 inches), October (about 3.9) and June (about 3.7) are the wettest months at Camp Mabry. Problems show up then, so late winter and early spring are good times to fix them.
- Trees. Live oaks drop leaves and tassels mostly in March and April. Packed debris adds weight and holds water against seams.
- Hail. Large-hail season peaks March through May. Dents hold water and stress seams. See hail damage gutters.
- Heat. Daily expansion and contraction can loosen old hangers and crack old sealant.
What affects the cost of gutter repair
Every quote is written and itemized after we measure: linear feet, gutter size and material, number of stories, downspouts, guards and any fascia repair are listed as separate lines.
Repair costs depend on:
- What’s broken and how many spots need work
- Number of stories and roof access
- Whether fascia needs replacing behind the gutter
- Parts: hangers, miters, end caps, downspout sections
- Whether the gutters need cleaning first
See the Austin gutter cost guide for more.
When to repair and when to replace
Repair when the problems are in one or two spots and the gutters are the right size. Replace when leaks and sagging show up throughout the system, the metal is rusted or badly dented, or the gutters overflow because they’re too small. Our gutter replacement page covers the full checklist.
FAQ
Can gutters be repaired, or do they need replacing?
Most gutters can be repaired. Sagging, leaking corners, loose downspouts and slope problems are all repairable. Replacement makes sense when problems are system-wide or the gutters are undersized.
How do you fix a sagging gutter?
Clear it, then replace the loose or missing hangers with screw-in hidden hangers into sound fascia, about every 24 inches. Reset the slope while rehanging. If the fascia is soft, it must be repaired first.
Why is my gutter sagging in the middle?
Usually missing or failed hangers, or water and debris weighing it down. A middle sag also holds water, which makes the sag worse over time.
Why does water come out of the end of my gutter instead of the downspout?
The slope is wrong, the downspout is clogged, or the end cap is leaking. Resetting the pitch toward the outlet and clearing the downspout usually fixes it.
Can seamless gutters be repaired?
Yes. Corners can be resealed, sections rehung, and a damaged piece cut out and replaced with a matching section joined by a sealed seam.
Is it worth repairing old gutters?
If the metal is sound and the gutters are the right size, yes. If you’ve repaired the same system several times, the money may be better spent on new seamless gutters.
Get a gutter repair quote
Quotes are free, written and itemized after we measure on site. We serve West Austin (West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Tarrytown, Barton Hills, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, Oak Hill, Circle C, Dripping Springs) and the greater Austin metro from Georgetown to Kyle. We handle repairs in Oak Hill, Round Rock, Georgetown and across the Austin area.
Book a free gutter quote. We measure on site and send a written, itemized quote.