How to fix sagging gutters: Causes, effects and steps to take

Dan Simms

Dan Simms Contributing Writer

Dan Simms is a contributing writer at USA TODAY Homefront specializing in home repair, renovation and renewable energy. While working as a property manager for one of the largest real estate management firms in New York, Dan worked alongside contractors and renovation specialists to prepare homes for sale. He is an avid DIYer and has completed a shed construction and a bathroom renovation in his own home and investment properties. He lives on Long Island, New York. Reach out to him on LinkedIn.

Updated Jul. 3, 2024

Key points

Issues ranging from clogs to improper installation can cause sagging gutters.
Fixing sagging gutters requires more tools, materials and planning than many weekend DIY projects.
If repairing your sagging gutters is above your pay grade, you can hire a professional gutter company.

Sagging gutters are more than just an eyesore. They can cause roof damage plus allow water overflow during heavy rain, damaging your siding and foundation. I had a sagging gutter on the rear of my house that ended up causing a foundation leak and water in my basement.

So, it’s a big deal.

Several issues can cause gutter sag — some, such as gutter and downspout clogs, are more easily remedied than others. Sagging gutters can also indicate that they were improperly installed or the wrong size.

We talked to Chris Counahan, president of gutter guard provider LeafFilter, to learn more about sagging gutter repair. “Homeowners should address sagging gutters promptly to prevent water pooling, which can lead to structural damage,” he said. “The top signs you should be looking for are the gutters looking warped, pulling away from the house, draining incorrectly or abnormally, and debris regularly getting trapped in the gutter.”

The top signs you should be looking for are the gutters looking warped, pulling away from the house, draining incorrectly or abnormally, and debris regularly getting trapped in the gutter.
Chris Counahan

Assuming you don’t need a full gutter replacement, roof repair or simply need gutter guards, fixing your sagging gutters is a home improvement project within the reach of most experienced DIYers — but it may be more time- and labor-intensive than other projects. Below, I cover the tools and materials you need and provide step-by-step instructions for repairing sagging gutters safely.

What do you need to fix sagging gutters?

Repairing sagging gutters requires preparation. The last thing you want is to get up on your ladder and realize you’re missing an important tool or piece of material.

Note that if your gutters are badly damaged, weren’t installed properly, or are the wrong size, you’ll likely need to replace them rather than repair them. Instructions for a full gutter replacement are beyond the scope of this guide, so the following instructions are for salvageable gutters only.

Tools

Most or all the tools you’ll need for this project are readily available from Home Depot, Lowe’s or your local home improvement store. Here’s what you’ll need:

Drill with bits
Epoxy, adhesive or caulk
Gutter scoop or small hand trowel
Hammer
Ladder stabilizer (optional but recommended)
Levels (string and standard)
Screwdriver
Sturdy ladder
Tape measure

Materials

You’ll also need to gather the following materials from Home Depot or your preferred hardware store:

Brackets/gutter hangers
Gutter sealant
Nails or screws compatible with your gutter’s material

Safety essentials

Any project that involves getting up on a ladder and using tools requires the utmost attention to safety. Always position your ladder on stable ground and ensure it isn’t wobbling or leaning. If you can get someone to help you, have them hold the ladder while you’re on it to ensure it doesn’t shift under your weight.

Second, pick up a pair of thick work gloves and eye protection while gathering your tools and materials. Nothing cuts a home improvement project short like a piece of debris in the eye or a deep wound.

What steps can you take to fix sagging gutters?

Before you lift a tool, determine why your gutters are sagging in the first place. If it’s due to a larger issue than clogs or loose screws, you shouldn’t attempt to fix them yourself. For instance, contact a professional if you find your fascia boards have significant water damage and are rotting.

Determine why they’re sagging

The most common cause of sagging gutters is a blockage that causes water and debris to build up and weigh them down. You can identify this problem by leaves and twigs accumulating in your gutters or standing water pooling in the middle of them. It’s a good problem to have because removing the clog may resolve the issue as long as it hasn’t caused further damage.

Another common cause is decaying hangers or fasteners. Metal gutter brackets may deteriorate over time as they’re exposed to the elements, which can cause your gutters to pull away from your roof and stick out from under your shingles. Decaying fasteners are easy to identify by inspecting them from a ladder. Look for crooked, bent-out-of-shape or rusted hangers, and mark them for replacement.

Hopefully, your rain gutters are sagging due to a gutter-specific problem and not a major issue with your home’s support structure, as foundation issues can also lead to sagging gutters.

Gutters depend on level fascia to work properly; foundation problems can disrupt that. If a portion of the foundation sinks or rises due to changing soil conditions, the roofline can push out of level. In turn, that can cause the gutters to become unlevel, too.

If you notice other signs of structural problems, such as cracks above doorways or sticking windows and doors, contact a professional for an inspection.

Check the fascia board

The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of your roof above your soffits. It’s where residential gutters are usually attached, and it needs to be in good condition to support them.

Check for any signs of rotting or damage to your fascia board, and make sure it’s still securely attached to your roof’s rafters. If the fascia board is damaged, you must repair or replace it before reattaching the gutters. I speak from experience when I say that reattaching a sagging gutter to a damaged fascia board is a temporary fix and will need another, more involved repair soon.

I recommend hiring a professional contractor to replace your fascia board unless you have roofing experience. Incorrectly installing a new fascia board could lead to interior leaks and water damage.

Clean out the gutters

If you have a lot of trees on your property, debris can quickly overwhelm gutters and create blockages. Cleaning the gutters will reduce their weight and allow you to assess their condition. Sometimes, cleaning your gutters is enough to solve the problem.

You want to remove leaves, twigs and debris from your gutters. You can do this from the ground with your garden hose and a gutter cleaning attachment or by hand from a ladder. You can also use a shop vacuum or a power washer to make the job easier.

Clogged gutters may also be a sign of clogged downspouts. A clog in any part of your gutter system could cause a symptom somewhere else, so don’t neglect your downspouts during regular maintenance.

If the task seems too daunting, calling a professional might make sense. Cleaning second-story gutters is particularly dangerous and challenging, so don’t hesitate to hire a pro if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Fix or replace screws and gutter spikes

The next step is to inspect the screws or gutter spikes that fasten your gutters to your fascia board. It’s fairly common for the wood around these fasteners to rot, loosening the attachment and causing your gutters to slip.

Replace any loose screws or spikes you find. Make new holes. Don’t screw the gutters into decaying wood since they’ll only come loose again. If your fascia board is not in great shape and you can’t find enough solid attachment points, replace it before rehanging your gutters.

Repair any gutter hangers, if present

If gutter hangers support your gutters, ensure these, too, are in good shape. Gutter hangers provide extra support; you commonly find them in homes with longer gutters. The hangers can bend and flex over time, reducing the support they provide. If your gutters rely on hangers to maintain the proper gutter slope, weakened hangers could cause sagging.

Remove any old, misshapen hangers and replace them with new ones. The exact process will vary depending on the material of the gutter hangers and the attachment mechanism. You’ll need a drill bit and screws that work with your gutter material to do this.

Final take

Fixing sagging gutters is a second-tier home improvement project that most people can handle with a little guidance. If your gutters are sagging because they’re clogged or because your gutter hangers are getting old or you don’t have proper gutter guards, it’s a pretty easy fix. In the case of a more insidious problem, such as an unlevel foundation or rotting fascia board, you’ll have to hire a professional contractor.

If your initial inspection suggests that it’s a problem you can handle yourself, make sure you practice basic safety principles. Have someone hold the ladder for you, or use a ladder stabilizer if you work alone. Always wear eye protection and gloves when working on your gutters to avoid injuries from errant debris and construction material.

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Dan Simms, Contributing Writer Homefront

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