Signs it's time for new gutters
- Plastic that has faded and cracks when handled.
- Cast iron that is rusted through or splitting at the joints.
- Repairs failing one after another along the same run.
- Gutters overflowing in normal rain even when clear, meaning they're undersized.
- A fascia behind that is rotten and needs replacing anyway.
If it's just one bad joint, a gutter repair may be all you need.
Choosing a gutter system
UPVC guttering
The most common choice on houses around Taunton. It's light, doesn't need painting and is available in half-round, square, deep-flow and ogee profiles in several colours. It relies on clipped joints with rubber seals, which are easy to maintain.
Aluminium guttering
Stronger and more rigid than plastic, with a crisp powder-coated finish. Aluminium guttering suits buildings where a slimmer, smarter look matters or where long spans are needed. It's also a sensible like-for-like look on houses that had metal gutters before.
Seamless guttering
A form of aluminium guttering rolled into continuous lengths on site, which removes the joints on straight runs. It's worth considering on long elevations where joints have been a recurring problem.
Sizing and fall
A gutter has to carry the water from the area of roof above it. Big, steep roofs, valleys that pour into one spot, or roofs with long runs to a single outlet may need a deeper profile or an extra downpipe. The gutter also needs a slight, even fall towards the outlets. Get either wrong and even brand-new gutters will overflow in a heavy shower.
How gutter installation works
The old gutters and downpipes are taken down and removed from site. The fascia is checked; if it's soft or split, it's best renewed before anything new is fixed to it, which is covered on our fascia and soffit replacement page. Brackets are set to a string line for the right fall, gutter lengths and joints are clipped in, outlets are positioned, and downpipe replacement follows, connected to the existing drain or gully. Finally, the system is tested with water and the site is cleared.
Gutters and the roof edge
The roof membrane or felt should drip into the back of the gutter. If it has perished, or an eaves protection tray is missing, water can run behind the new gutter and down the fascia. We check this as part of the job, as a roofer is well placed to do.
Keep the route from roof to drain continuous
Replacing a gutter run is an opportunity to review where the water goes next. A sound new outlet is of limited use if it discharges into a damaged downpipe or a blocked gully. Identify which rainwater fittings are included in the proposal and which existing connections will remain. Corners, offsets and stop ends should be considered alongside straight lengths, rather than counted as incidental finishing touches after installation.
Appearance matters too, especially where a replacement meets guttering on an adjoining property. Note the existing profile and colour and explain any shared drainage before the visit. UPVC, aluminium and a seamless system have different joints and installation arrangements; compare the complete specification, not simply the material name. A replacement quote should make the length, outlet positions and access clear, so a proposal for one elevation is not confused with renewal around the whole building.
Your gutter replacement quote
Prices depend on the length of guttering, the system chosen, the number of downpipes and corners, height and access. Our guttering cost guide explains each of these. We replace gutters on homes and commercial buildings across Somerset and Devon, up to about 50 miles from Taunton. Call 07399 680142 or use the contact form for a free written quote. All roofline services are on the guttering, fascias and soffits page.