Let's talk gutter replacements

[clifish]

So I have been in the house for 30 years, the house was built in 1965 and I believe these are original. Over the years we have had trees fall on the house and the gutters need to be replaced as realignment was gone along time ago. This is an industry full of scammers around here. What should I be looking for in a good installer? I probably want wider..maybe 5"? and need a good guard as we are surrounded by oak trees. Any off the shelf product only resulted in weeds growing out of the gutter in a few years and overflow. I am prepared to hear that some of the backer boards might need to be replaced.

 

[Brokenhandle]

So I have been in the house for 30 years, the house was built in 1965 and I believe these are original. Over the years we have had trees fall on the house and the gutters need to be replaced as realignment was gone along time ago. This is an industry full of scammers around here. What should I be looking for in a good installer? I probably want wider..maybe 5"? and need a good guard as we are surrounded by oak trees. Any off the shelf product only resulted in weeds growing out of the gutter in a few years and overflow. I am prepared to hear that some of the backer boards might need to be replaced.

Look for companies that have been in business for several years and any reviews they have...even though they might not be accurate in today's age.
Get bids, check for warranty on materials and labor. Father in law hung gutters most of his life, and I worked for him for awhile... sure don't miss that job! Especially hanging gutters hanging over the edge of the roof!

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

Check with a building supply firm and see if they recommend anyone.

 

[crazymoon]

CF, Sounds like you need some fascia boards and new gutters. Don't go plastic/vinyl , aluminum is the next best thing. Can't help you on finding an honest company.

 

[yankee2bbq]

So I have been in the house for 30 years, the house was built in 1965 and I believe these are original. Over the years we have had trees fall on the house and the gutters need to be replaced as realignment was gone along time ago. This is an industry full of scammers around here. What should I be looking for in a good installer? I probably want wider..maybe 5"? and need a good guard as we are surrounded by oak trees. Any off the shelf product only resulted in weeds growing out of the gutter in a few years and overflow. I am prepared to hear that some of the backer boards might need to be replaced.

Go with 5” gutters with a gutter guard. Get multiple estimates. Steel seamless gutters is a must. I don’t know your area, but ask your neighbors or do an internet search in your area for a highly recommended gutter installer.
I installed my own gutter guards to save some money. I got my off of Amazon…a highly rated gutter guard. Stainless steel type. Hope this helps.

 

[Winterrider]

Kinda spendy but ABC Seamless does a lot of work in our area. Check with local lumber company's who they work with.

 

[chef k-dude]

Definitely get at least a few bids. It's interesting to talk to the different folks and see their approach and get a feel for whether you could trust them. My dad hired a guy to do his new cabin and offered to pay him to replace ours. The guy just put up 4" gutters all around and should have put 5" at the garage area where its a steep hip roof. Those gutters over-top in heavy rain.

I'm not a topper expert but when we moved in, the previous owners had some fairly fancy ones installed that had just a mesh or expanded metal slot with a fine mesh over that. They were useless because we are surrounded by trees and get huge amounts of pollen, dust and stuff in the air that builds up and clogs the straining action and ended up over-topping and not actually acting like gutters very well.

When we got the new gutters, I got just the perforated or expanded metal mesh type toppers. They work OK but because of the trees, I have to get them cleaned every late spring and fall. I try not to get up real high on ladders anymore and most of our gutters are above the second story. I have to hire someone twice a year to clean my gutter toppers! And still clean under the toppers because finer junk filters down through them and makes a sludge eventually.

I might as well have skipped the toppers. They dont prevent me from having to glean the gutters because the toppers still need clearing!