Signs it's time to replace, not repair
- Leaks at many seams and corners, with repairs that don't hold
- Rust, corrosion or pinholes along the bottom of the gutter
- Runs that sag again soon after being re-hung
- Overflow during normal rain even when the gutters are clean
- Hail dents or limb damage along most of the house
- Fascia rot that means the gutters have to come down anyway
If only one or two runs are bad, gutter repair may be the better value.
Why seamless
Sectional gutters come in short pieces joined every 10 to 20 feet, and every joint is a place to leak. Seamless gutters are formed on a machine at your house from a coil of metal, cut to the exact length of each run. The only joints are at corners and ends. That means fewer leaks, a cleaner look, and fewer places for debris to catch.
Sizing for Birmingham-area rain
Birmingham averages roughly 53 to 56 inches of rain a year, and much of it comes in heavy bursts from spring storms and summer thunderstorms. Gutter size should be based on roof area, pitch and how much of the roof drains to each downspout, not on what the house had before. Things an installer should weigh:
- 6-inch gutters on large or steep roofs, and on the long back runs common on hillside homes
- 3x4 downspouts instead of 2x3, which carry more water and clog less with sweetgum balls
- Extra downspouts on long runs so no single outlet is overwhelmed
- Inside corners and valleys, where a splash guard or a larger gutter keeps water from overshooting
Materials
- Aluminum: the most common choice. Rust-free, light, many colors. Thicker gauges resist dents from hail and ladders better.
- Steel: tougher against impacts, but it can rust where the coating is scratched.
- Copper: suits older brick and stone homes in places like Bluff Park and Vestavia Hills. Very long-lasting and more expensive; repairs need compatible materials.
- Half-round: a traditional profile for some older and custom homes, usually in copper or aluminum.
What a good installation includes
- Removal of the old gutters and a close look at the fascia behind them. Soft wood is replaced before anything new goes up. See fascia and soffit repair.
- A drip edge at the roof line so water lands in the gutter, not behind it.
- Hidden hangers screwed into solid wood at close spacing.
- Correct slope toward every downspout.
- Sealed corners and end caps, done from the inside.
- Downspouts that carry water away, with extensions or buried lines that run downhill. See downspout and drain work.
- A water test and a full cleanup of old gutters, nails and scraps.
Adding guards at the same time
Replacing gutters is the cheapest moment to add guards, because the installer is already up there and can match the guard to the new system. Whether they are worth it depends on your trees; read are gutter guards worth it? and compare options on the gutter guards page.
Contracts, licensing and HOAs
Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Board licenses contractors for residential improvement work above a set dollar threshold. On a larger gutter and fascia job, ask for the contractor's license number and look it up. Many Hoover neighborhoods, such as Ross Bridge, Greystone and Lake Cyrus, also have HOA rules about exterior colors and materials, so check before you order a color that doesn't match the approved list.
What drives the price
- Total feet of gutter and number of corners
- Gutter size (5-inch or 6-inch) and downspout size
- Material and gauge
- Number of stories, roof pitch and access
- Fascia repair and removal of the old system
- Guards, buried lines or extra downspouts
The cost guide covers these in more detail. For a free estimate, call (205) 973‑4758.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What size gutter and downspout do you recommend, and why?
- What gauge of metal will you use?
- What hangers, at what spacing?
- Will you replace rotted fascia, and how is that priced?
- Where will each downspout drain?
- What does your written warranty cover, and for how long?
Get connected with an installer
Tell us about the house and what is going wrong with the current gutters. We'll connect you with an experienced, qualified local professional who serves Hoover and the nearby suburbs.