Gutter repair costs around $400 on average, and prices range from $200 up to $650 in most cases. You can expect to pay between $4 and $30 per linear foot. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to have a professional come out to price your project. Some factors that influence your total include the following:

• Number of linear feet of gutter to repair

• Gutter style 

• Gutter material

• Accessibility of the gutters

• Whether you have seamless or seamed gutters

• Type of necessary repairs

Downspouts channel water from your roof and gutters into the ground following a specific route so water doesn’t accumulate around your house’s foundation. Without a downspout, the standing water will wash away material and disrupt the soil, leading to foundation erosion. The standing water will also form ice around your house during cold weather, causing a safety hazard.

When it comes to which gutter material is better, the choice really boils down to what you're looking for in a gutter system. If saving money is the most important factor, then your best option is to go for aluminum gutters. If longevity and durability are more important to you, then copper gutters could be the best fit. If you want to customize the color of your gutters, aluminum takes the cake, but if you're looking for a more natural appearance, copper might be a better choice.

The trick to getting gleaming gutters can vary based on the material of your gutters. Aluminum gutters can often be restored to pristine condition by using a cloth to scrub them with a solution consisting of 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Vinyl gutters can be whitened using dish soap and water. For deeply stained vinyl gutters, adding bleach with water and dish soap may help to remove black streaks. Many retailers sell premixed gutter sprays. Applying cleaning solutions to dry gutters before rinsing can help cleaners attach to dirt and grime for easier removal.