Gutter Replacement in Des Moines
When gutters sag, leak at every seam or overflow even when they are clean, patching only buys time. We tear off the old system, fix what is underneath and hang new seamless gutters sized for your roof.
Gutter Replacement, Start to Finish
Most people call about gutter replacement after something has already gone wrong. A run pulls away from the house after a snowy winter. Water stains streak down the siding. A corner drips no matter how many tubes of sealant go on it, or the basement gets a wet spot after every storm. Old sectional gutters have a joint every few feet, and each one dries out and cracks over time. Spikes work loose from the wood, and thin gutters bend under the weight of ice.
Replacement starts with Luke on a ladder, not a sales pitch. He checks the gutters, the fascia board behind them, the drip edge, the downspouts and where the water goes once it hits the ground. If a fix will honestly do the job, he will say so and we can handle it as a gutter repair. If the system is worn out, we take it down, haul it away, replace soft fascia and hang new seamless runs on hidden hangers.
What you get back is a gutter system planned as a whole: the right size, the right pitch toward each outlet, enough downspouts in the right places, and extensions that carry water away from the foundation. Replacement is also the easiest time to change color, move up to 6 inch gutters or add leaf protection, since everything is already off the house. You finish with a clean job site and a walkthrough with our crew before we leave.
What a gutter replacement includes
- Tear-off and haul-away of old gutters
- Fascia board check and repair where needed
- New 5 or 6 inch seamless gutters
- Hidden hangers, sealed miters and end caps
- Downspouts resized and placed away from the foundation
- Final walkthrough before we leave
Signs it is time to replace, not repair
In Angi's homeowner data, sagging or loosening is the most common gutter complaint, at about 26 percent of reported problems. Sagging alone can often be fixed. Replacement makes more sense when the problems stack up: seams leaking in several spots, rust or cracks, runs pitched the wrong way, water marks or peeling paint below the gutter, or overflow even after a cleaning. Angi's rule of thumb is to replace when a repair would cost more than half of a new system, or when the gutters are past about 20 years old. Read our guide to signs you need new gutters.
What happens on replacement day
We take the old gutters and downspouts down and haul them off. With them gone, the fascia board is out in the open, and this is where hidden rot shows up. Soft spots get replaced before a new gutter goes on, because a gutter can only hold as well as the board behind it. Then we form the new seamless runs on site, hang them on hidden hangers, set the pitch, cut in the outlets and attach the downspouts. Before we leave, we clean up the job site and walk the finished work with you.
Upgrades worth making while the old gutters are off
Replacement is the simplest time to change how your system works. If water used to overshoot the corners, we can move up to 6 inch gutters and larger downspouts. Long runs can get a second outlet. Downspouts that dumped onto a patio can be moved, turned or piped underground. You can switch colors to suit new siding or trim. And if trees hang over the roof, adding gutter guards at the same time lets us fit them cleanly at every miter.
Iowa winters are hard on old gutters
Des Moines averages about 36.5 inches of snow a season under National Weather Service normals, and every freeze and thaw works on sealant joints. Ice that builds in a clogged gutter can weigh it down until the hangers let go. Ice dams form when heat from the house melts roof snow that refreezes at the cold eave, so new gutters will not stop them on their own. Solid hangers and clear outlets do help water drain when it can. Spring, after the snow is gone, is a smart time to look for winter damage.
Gutter Replacement Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
How can I tell if my gutters need replacing or just a repair?
One bad corner or a single sagging section is usually a repair. Replacement makes sense when several seams leak, the metal is rusted or cracked, the gutters overflow even when clean, or they are past about 20 years old. Angi suggests replacing once a repair would cost more than half of a new system. Our repair or replacement guide walks through it.
Do you replace rotted fascia boards during a gutter replacement?
Yes. Once the old gutters come down, the fascia is easy to inspect, and that is when we find soft or rotted wood. A new gutter can only hold as well as the board it is screwed into, so we replace bad sections before hanging anything. Luke will point out what he sees at the estimate, and we will show you anything new we find once the gutters are off.
Can I upgrade from 5 inch to 6 inch gutters when I replace them?
Yes, and replacement is the natural time to do it. A 6 inch gutter carries about half again as much water as a 5 inch and pairs with larger downspouts. It is worth it on big or steep roofs, two-story homes and corners where roof valleys meet. Luke will measure your roof and tell you whether the upgrade will actually help or whether 5 inch is enough.
What happens to my old gutters when you replace them?
We take them down and haul them away with the rest of the job debris. You do not need to arrange a dumpster or a trip to the scrap yard. Once the new seamless gutters and downspouts are up, we clean up the site and do a final walkthrough with you so you can see every run, outlet and downspout before we leave.
Who does home gutter replacement around Des Moines?
Flow Right does. We are a family-owned gutter company based in Mitchellville, and gutters are the work we started on. We replace gutters for homeowners, landlords, churches and businesses across the metro. See our page on gutter replacement in Des Moines, or call or text (515) 901-3646 for a free estimate.
How a Job Runs
Call or Text
Overflowing gutters, tired siding, a drafty window or an addition you have been planning. Tell us what is going on.
Free Estimate
Luke comes out, looks at the house, measures, and walks you through your options in plain words.
A Clear Plan
You get a written estimate and a straight recommendation. No pressure and no runaround.
Install Day
Our crew does the work and keeps the job site clean while we are there.
Walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and make sure everything is right before we leave.
Gutter Replacement Near You
Our shop is in Mitchellville. Pick your town, or call and ask if we cover it.
Gutter Replacement pages for your town
More services
Gutter Guards
Micro-mesh, LeafFX and Gutter Topper leaf protection fitted to the trees over your house.
DetailsGutter Repair
Leaks, sagging runs, loose downspouts and storm damage fixed, with honest repair or replace advice.
DetailsGutter Cleaning
Gutters and downspouts cleared by hand, flushed and checked by a crew that installs gutters.
DetailsNeed Gutter Replacement?
Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free, and you get a straight answer on what the house needs.