Gutter pulling away from the house
A gutter that's sagging or pulling away from the house usually has spikes that have worked loose, often under the weight of water, ice or debris. Tapping the spike back in rarely lasts. Pull the loose spikes and replace them with hidden hangers that screw into the fascia, then check that the gutter still slopes toward the downspout. While you're up there, check the downspout outlet. A sagging gutter is often one that's been holding water because the downspout is clogged.
How gutters are held on
Many older gutters are held on with long spikes driven through the gutter and a metal sleeve, called a ferrule, into the fascia board behind it. Over years of heating, cooling and the weight of water, the spikes back out.
Hidden hangers clip inside the gutter and screw into the fascia. Screws hold much better than smooth spikes, and they're the usual fix.
Why gutters pull away
Heat, cold and weight loosen them over time.
The extra weight pulls the gutter down.
The screws or spikes have nothing to grip.
The gutter sags between them.
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Spike heads sticking out | Spikes backing out | Replace with screw-in hangers. |
| Sags between supports | Too few hangers | Add hangers about every 2 feet. |
| Screws won't bite | Rotted fascia | Replace the fascia first. |
| Water pools in one spot | Lost its slope | Reset the hangers. |
Rehang the gutter, step by step
- Set up safelySet the ladder on firm, level ground, lean it at the right angle, and use a stabilizer so it doesn't rest on the gutter. Keep three points of contact and don't overreach; move the ladder instead.
- Clean out the gutterScoop out leaves and debris. The extra weight of wet debris is often what pulled the gutter down in the first place.
- Install hidden hangersHook a hanger under the gutter's front lip, push it tight to the back, and drive its screw through the gutter into the fascia. Space them about every 2 feet, or closer where you get heavy snow, per the hanger maker.
- Pull the loose spikesGrip the head of each loose spike with the hammer's claw and pull it out, or pry it gently with a flat bar against a scrap block. Install a new hanger next to each spike before you pull it, so the gutter never hangs unsupported.
- Check the slopeRun water from a hose at the far end and watch it flow to the downspout. A common rule is a quarter to half an inch of drop for every 10 feet. If water pools, loosen and reset hangers to adjust the slope.
Watch it done
- The gutter sits tight against the fascia along its whole length
- New hangers hold firm with no loose spikes left
- Hose water flows to the downspout without pooling
If it won't stay put
If siding is loose or flapping, we have a guide for reattaching loose vinyl siding.
If ice builds up along the roof edge in winter, check our guide for preventing ice dams.
If the new screws won't hold, the fascia may be rotted. Push on it with a screwdriver; soft wood needs replacing before the gutter will stay put.
If the gutter keeps overflowing after you fix it, check that the downspout is clear.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A gutter contractor typically charges $150–$400 to rehang a sagging section, more if the fascia needs repair.
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