How much does Downspout repair cost?

Based on 287 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$100

TYPICAL

$200

$350

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Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

Functioning downspouts help prevent expensive water damage to siding and foundations
Cost of downspout repair is affected by their material, your home’s height, and the kind of pro you hire
Gutter contractors might charge a minimum fee to visit your home, while a handyperson typically charges an hourly rate plus materials

Rain gutters and downspouts form a critically important rainwater drainage system for your home, especially if you live in a wet climate.

Gutters collect rainwater from the roof and channel it to downspouts, which carry it to ground level. When this house-mounted drainage system works, it prevents costly water damage to windows, doors, siding, fascia boards (wooden boards that run along the lower edge of the roof), and foundations.

When damaged downspouts don’t do their job, water can run down walls and windows, possibly leaking into basements and creating mold or costly foundation problems.

This guide will explain the cost of having a local handyperson or gutter repair service fix downspouts and rain gutter systems.

Learn more about fixing home drainage issues:

Total downspout repair costs

The national average cost of downspout repair is $75–180, including materials and labor. If you choose to work with a gutter and downspout pro, you might pay a minimum of $50–150 for them to visit your home. In many cases this includes 1–2 hours of labor costs, which is enough to cover minor repairs.

Typical problems include loose brackets that allow downspouts to dislodge from the house or gutters, and leaks where downspout sections connect to each other or to gutter outlets. Bent, flattened, or broken areas of the downspout may also need repairs.

Some simpler fixes—such as refastening loose or broken hangers (which connect gutters to the roof), using a gutter sealant to stop leaks, or adding downspout extensions to carry the runoff further from your house—are easy for a handyperson to take care of in an hour or two, at a cost of about $40–80 per hour plus up to $20 for materials.

If the downspout is in overall bad shape, replacement by a rain gutter and downspout service is often better than trying to fix it. The replacement cost for downspouts ranges from $4–22 per linear foot for labor and materials—unless the downspout is made of copper, which can cost up to $40 per linear foot to replace (but typically lasts longer than steel or aluminum gutters).

If your gutters are also in a state of widespread disrepair, the most cost-effective solution may be to install new gutters and replace the damaged downspouts at the same time.

You can find pros who replace gutters by asking neighbors for recommendations or searching online reviews. Always get 2 or 3 cost estimates from local pros for competitive pricing.

Cost factors

The following issues can affect the total cost of downspout repairs.

Type of gutters. Generally, downspouts look best when their material matches your gutters. Aluminum gutters and downspouts are extremely common, and both aluminum and vinyl gutters are on the cheaper end of the spectrum—expect to pay $4–15 per linear foot (materials only) for either one. For galvanized steel you can expect to pay $8–22 per linear foot. Copper gutter materials top the cost range, at $25–40 per linear foot.

Height of your home. Downspout replacement and repair is more difficult when tall ladders are needed. Also, considerably more materials are needed for a two-story home than a single-story house, which adds to project costs.

Removal of old downspouts. If old downspouts or gutter materials must be removed and disposed of after gutter replacement, expect to pay $50–100 extra for your gutter contractor or handyperson to haul them away.

How to save money

These tactics might save you a few dollars on downspout repairs.

Consider a handyperson. As mentioned above, many handypeople have experience doing home repairs, such as fixing or replacing downspouts. They typically charge $40–80 per hour, plus materials, and offer a viable alternative to hiring a gutter company.

Combine tasks. Gutter contractors sometimes charge a minimum to visit your home, so take advantage of having them on-site when you hire them to handle downspout repairs. For example, you can have them check the existing gutters. If you’ve hired a handyperson, you might consider assigning them a variety of tasks during their visit.

Send photos via email. If your gutter pro is open to the idea, send some pictures of the damaged downspout ahead of time. In some cases, this might reduce the service visit costs and pre-qualify them to work on your home.

Avoid clogged gutters. Making sure your gutters and downspouts are free of clogs due to buildup of leaves, pine needles, and other debris can keep the system working smoothly and reduce the need for costly repairs. So clean gutters one or twice a year. Installing gutter guards might also help.

FAQs

How much do downspouts cost per foot?

Downspouts generally run $4–40 per linear foot (material cost only). On the low end, vinyl (PVC) and aluminum ranges from $4–15, while on the high end you could pay $8–40 per foot for galvanized steel or copper. Installation costs will run you about $40–80 per hour if you hire a qualified handyperson.

How do you replace a damaged downspout?

Just like sectional gutters, downspouts are easy to detach from their connection with the gutters above them. In cases of widespread corrosion or severe damage to the downspout, you should consider replacing them.

Can you patch a downspout?

Most of the time, yes. Minor repairs like dents, bends, and small holes, can sometimes be patched by a gutter professional or a handyperson with experience doing home-improvement work. However the cost of more extensive repairs should be weighed against simply replacing the downspout, especially if it’s made of a less-expensive material such as vinyl or aluminum.

Find a rain gutter and downspout repair service in your area.

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