Why is my gutter pulling away from the house?
Gutters pull away when the hangers loosen, there are too few of them, the gutter is heavy with wet debris, or the fascia board behind it has rotted. Check for rot first, because new hangers won't hold in soft wood. A gutter that is pulling away also stops draining right, so it overflows and makes the problem worse.
If you want me to take a look, text a picture to 443-900-4815 or call the same number. I'm James. I've worked on roofs and gutters around Baltimore City and Baltimore County for 24+ years, and I'm licensed and insured, MHIC #154344.
What are the usual causes?
- Loose hangers. Older gutters often hang on long spikes driven through the gutter into the fascia. Over the years they work loose and back out.
- Too few hangers. Hangers spread too far apart let the gutter sag between them, especially when it's full.
- Weight. Leaves, seeds, and standing water get heavy. Ice in winter is heavier still.
- Rotted fascia. If water has been getting behind the gutter, the board it hangs on goes soft, and nothing holds in it. See soffit and fascia repair. If water runs down between the gutter and the house, here's why water drips behind gutters.
- Ladders. A ladder leaned against the gutter can bend it and pull hangers loose.
Why fix it soon?
A sagging gutter holds water in the low spot and spills it over the side. That water lands next to the foundation, soaks the ground, and can end up in the basement or a window well. Water also runs behind the loose section and rots more of the fascia. A section that keeps pulling away can eventually come down. See why gutters overflow.
Can I just screw it back up?
If the wood behind it is solid, a loose section can sometimes be refastened with new hangers. If the fascia is soft, screws won't hold for long. Please don't work on gutters from a ladder in the rain or on soft ground. Gutter work from a ladder is one of the easier ways to get hurt at home.
What we do
- Clean the gutter so we can see it and the weight comes off.
- Check the fascia behind it, and the roof edge above it.
- Send you pictures of what we found, with a price before any work starts.
- Replace rotted wood so the hangers have something solid to hold.
- Re-hang the gutter with new hangers spaced closer together, and reset the slope so it drains to the downspout.
- Replace the gutter when it's too bent or worn out to re-hang. We install new gutters too.
See gutter cleaning and repair for more on how we handle gutters.
You can text me at 443-900-4815 with a picture of the gutter, or call the same number.
Gutter pulling away questions
Can I just screw the gutter back up?
Only if the wood behind it is solid. If the fascia has rotted, new screws or hangers won't hold, and the wood needs to be replaced first.
How far apart should gutter hangers be?
Most gutters are hung with a hanger roughly every 2 to 3 feet, and closer under a valley or where trees drop a lot of debris. Older gutters on spikes are often spaced much farther apart.
Does a sagging gutter mean the fascia is rotten?
Not always, but it's the first thing to check. Loose or widely spaced hangers can cause a sag on solid wood too. If the board is soft when you press on it, it's rotted.
Is a gutter pulling away dangerous?
It can be. A long section full of water or ice is heavy, and if it lets go it can fall on a walk, a car, or a person. It also sends water against the foundation every time it rains.
Should a gutter that is pulling away be repaired or replaced?
If the gutter is straight and in good shape, it can usually be re-hung on solid wood. If it's bent, rusted through, or leaking at many seams, a new gutter often makes more sense. You get a price for each before any work starts.
