Are gutter guards worth it? The average gutter guard installation cost is $650 to $2,000 but varies depending on types, materials, home height, and other factors.
How Long Do Gutters Last? Learn When Should Your Gutters Be Replaced
Know when it's time for your gutters to call it quits
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Aluminum gutters last about 25 years, while copper can reach 100 years and vinyl lasts just 10 to 15 years on your home.
Expect to pay $119 to $400 for gutter cleaning and $1,900 on average for gutter replacement, depending on your home's size and materials.
Clean your gutters two to four times a year to prevent debris buildup that shortens their lifespan and damages your drainage system.
Hiring a local gutter cleaning professional keeps your system free from clogs and sagging, helping you avoid costly foundation damage and water issues.
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If you live in an area where it rains cats and dogs, you need long-lasting gutters to protect your home and its foundation. But how long do gutters last? The average life span of gutters is around 20 years, but depending on the gutter material and whether you go seamless, they can last as long as 100 years. Read on to learn about the life span of various gutter types and how to help them last for years to come.
Gutter Life Span by Material
How long your gutters will last depends largely on what they’re made of. For example, vinyl gutters have the shortest life span, lasting 10 to 15 years, while more sturdy materials such as copper can last up to 100 years. However, just because it’s the most durable material doesn’t mean copper is the right gutter choice for your home—plus, they’re quite pricey. To narrow down the best options, it’s best to talk to an experienced contractor who can recommend the right fit for you.
Below is a general gutter life span based on the type of gutters:
Aluminum: 25 years
Zinc: 50 years
Galvanized Stainless Steel: 15–20 years
Stainless Steel: 50 years
Vinyl: 10–15 years
Wood: 20–50 years
Copper: 100 years
Cast Iron: 50 years
“Ultimately, the more expensive the materials, often the longer lasting the gutter system,” says Jose Figueroa, Expert Review Board member and crew supervisor and sales representative at Artisan Quality Roofing in Apex, North Carolina. “However, unless you plan to live in your home for more than 20 years, seamless aluminum is an affordable, reliable option.”
How Do You Maximize the Life Span of Gutters?
Photo: Bokeh Art Photo / Adobe Stock
To ensure your gutters reach their maximum life span, stay on top of cleaning and maintenance. This means cleaning your gutters at least two to four times a year, especially if you have several trees in your yard. You can also install gutter guard systems, which prevent debris from collecting in your gutters and eliminate the need to clean them regularly. If you notice any signs of damage to your gutters, call in a local gutter repair contractor ASAP to avoid any further damage.
Clean Your Gutters
To increase your gutters’ life span, clean them regularly. Ideally, you’ll want to clean your gutters twice a year, but you may need to do it up to four times a year. If you want to ensure the gutters are cleaned properly, hire a gutter cleaning service near you. The cost of cleaning gutters usually averages between $119 and $234, but depending on the type, length, and location, cleanings can cost up to $400.
Gutter Guards
If you have several tall trees near your home, you can install gutter guards to help keep gutters free from debris.
“Another way to extend the life of your gutters is to install quality gutter guards,” says Figueroa. “They keep debris out of the gutters—which can deteriorate and damage the gutters—and allow for proper water flow.”
Reapplying Sealants
You can also reapply gutter sealant to help improve your gutter system’s durability. This includes reapplying a seal to the gutters every five to 10 years, though you may need to reapply more often if you live in areas with heavy rain or snow.
Most Frequently Cited Gutter Problems
According to data from Angi customers, the most common problem homeowners report with their gutters is sagging or loosening, which makes up about 26% of cases. Another 14% say their downspout or gutter is clogged, disconnected, or broken. The good news? Many of these issues can be prevented—or at least minimized—with regular cleanings, inspections, and prompt repairs.
When Is It Time to Replace Gutters?
If your gutters are cracked, leaking, overflowing, or not flowing at all, it is likely time to replace them. The best way to get a look at your gutters at work is to walk around the exterior of your home while it’s raining. This way, you can observe any trouble spots or see just how well (or not!) your gutters are doing their job. Other signs it’s time to replace your gutters are if they’re sagging, if nearby watermarks are present, or if the paint around the gutters is chipping.
DIY Gutter Replacement vs. Contacting a Pro
Replacing damaged gutters can be a DIY job—depending on the extent of the replacement, the material, and the gutter style. But in most cases, gutter replacement projects are better left to the pros. It's important that you know how to install gutters before embarking on this project. Proper gutter installation involves having the correct slope and length to ensure water correctly drains through the gutter system without damaging your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gutter repairs and replacements reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 19 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Emily W.
I am highly satisfied with the window replacement service I received; the professionals from Savvy Exteriors were punctual and did an amazing job that exceeded my expectations.
Savvy Exteriors - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
- Angie M.
When we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLC - Jessica F.
Window depot replaced all 14 windows in my house, front door and added a new back door. They did a wonderful job with some tricky windows in this old house. They were quick but efficient and cleaned up everything inside and out. I have already passed their contact information on to my...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio
The homeowners guide to gutter repairs and replacements
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much gutter installation costs? We’ll break down prices by material, gutter type, and other factors impacting overall gutter costs.
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