Gutter Sealing Cost Guide
Sealing gutters is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect your home from water damage. Whether you’re dealing with leaks, broken seams, or average wear and tear, a proper rain gutter seal keeps water flowing where it should: away from your foundation, siding, and landscaping. In this guide, we’ll go over the cost of this kind of project and how it varies based on your home and the style and material of your gutters. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect as you tackle this home upgrade.
How Much Does Gutter Sealing Cost?
The average cost to seal gutters in the U.S. is $220. Most homeowners spend between $100 and $350, depending on the type of sealant used, material of the gutters, extent of damage, and whether you hire a professional or go DIY.
For a home with 150 to 200 linear feet of gutters (average U.S. home), total sealing costs typically range from $150 to $400, though larger or more complex systems may exceed that.
Gutter Sealing: What to Know
Gutter sealing is the process of applying a waterproof barrier to your gutters to fix leaks and reinforce weak points in your gutter system. Over time, gutters can crack, split at the seams, or pull away from the fascia board of the house, all of which allow water to escape and damage your home’s structure.
Gutter sealing can be done with a variety of sealant materials, including paste, tape, spray, and liquid rubber.
This sealant is applied in several places, both when your gutters are first installed and over time as the sealant breaks down. Gutters are typically pieced along your roof line, meaning there are gaps between each piece that require sealant. Sealant is also applied to corners and end caps and around downspouts. Finally, sealant is important for joining your gutter to the fascia, which is the board that sits just under the eave of your roof.
Without sealant in these places, water can easily drip and flow through gaps and cracks, leading to a variety of problems:
- Foundation erosion around your home
- Rotted fascia along your roof and damaged siding
- Damage to flower beds and landscaping around your home
- Basement flooding
- Mold and mildew issues inside and outside the home
Common Signs Your Gutters Need Sealing
It’s smart to check for visible signs of gaps and cracks that need to be sealed on a regular basis. But there are other signs that might draw your attention to a gutter sealing problem in the meantime.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of a gutter sealing problem:
- Dripping water from the gutters, during or after rainstorms
- Small holes or pinhole leaks along the gutters themselves
- Visible rust or corrosion, especially at the joints where gutter pieces meet
- Gaps at corner joints or seams between gutter pieces
- Water stains on exterior walls and siding of your home
- Sagging gutters, which have been compromised by water weight or leaves
- Mold growth along your gutters, roof or siding
How to Seal Gutters
Sealing gutters is generally straightforward. It begins with some prep work and requires some curing after the fact.
- Clean the gutters thoroughly by removing debris, dirt, and any old sealant.
- Dry the area completely before applying any product. It’s best to start the project when you know it won’t rain for a few days.
- Identify leaks and cracks by marking them with tape or chalk so you don’t miss anything.
- Apply the sealant. Use a gutter joint seal or waterproof caulking for seams and joints. For holes and cracks, it’s best to use liquid rubber, spray sealant or patching tape.
- Allow the sealant to cure, based on the specific instructions of the product you chose. Typically, this time period lasts between 24 and 48 hours.
Cost of Sealing Gutters
Several factors go into the cost of your gutter sealing project. For the most part, this depends on the type of product you’re using and the amount.
The extent of the damage will have a large impact, given that more leaks will require more material and labor.
Next, the type of gutter on your home will dictate the amount of work required for a proper fix. Aluminum and vinyl gutters are easier and cheaper to seal, for example, than gutters made of steel or copper.
You have several options when it comes to choosing a sealant. Tape is by far the least expensive and easiest to apply. Liquid rubber and sprays do a better job, with more coverage, but typically cost more.
If you opt to have your gutters professionally sealed, you’ll also face factors such as the height and accessibility of your roof. Multi-story homes will typically require special equipment such as ladders and could take longer.
Finally, you’ll pay a different price for your sealing job based on where in the country you live and the cost of local labor rates there.
Cost by Type of Sealant
As mentioned, there are several types of sealants, each of which will change the cost of your overall project.
The least expensive option, gutter seal tape, is best used as a quick fix for smaller sections of gutters. The best, most durable option is liquid rubber, which is weather-resistant but requires more time to apply and cure.
Below is a chart detailing the types, their costs and best uses.
Sealant Type | Average Material Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|
Liquid Rubber | $10 to $25 per tube | Durable, weather-resistant |
Paste Sealant | $8 to $20 per tube | Best for small cracks |
Spray-On Sealant | $10 to $30 per can | Quick, wide coverage |
Gutter Seal Tape | $5 to $15 per roll | Best for quick DIY repairs |
Cost by Gutter Material
The material your gutters are made of will dictate the type of sealant required for a proper fix. For instance, vinyl and aluminum gutters require less expensive products, ranging from $80 to $200 per 100 square feet.
Copper, steel and zinc gutters, while less common, will require more expensive products. You can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $300 per 100 square feet to fix these types of gutters.
Similarly, the style of gutter will also play a role in overall cost. K-style gutters are the most common types found on homes. They’re the most inexpensive to fix. Half-round gutters require a bit more material.
Seamless gutters are harder to access and require a bit more labor to fix while sectional gutters are easy to isolate and repair. Finally, custom fascia on your home could impact the overall price for your project depending on how much more sealant is needed as a result.
Most homes will have gutter downspouts and corner joints as well. Sealing these areas will require a bit more product. Each downspout will cost between $25 to $75 based on the type of sealant used. Gutter joints involve applying sealant and replacing connectors. And corner joints might require a bit more product. If hiring a pro, ask whether they charge per corner or downspout feature.
Factors That Influence Gutter Sealing Costs
Several factors will affect the overall cost of your gutter sealing project:
- Gutter Length and Height: The bigger your gutters, the more sealant you’ll need.
- Material Type: Your gutter material, whether it be aluminum or copper, for example, will dictate the type of material you need to fix cracks.
- Type and Quantity of Sealant Needed: Prices vary depending on the type of sealant you choose from tape to paste or rubber.
- Extent and Number of Problem Areas: The bigger your problems, the more materials you’ll need. When hiring a pro, this will also increase the amount of labor required.
- Labor Rates in Your Region: While this is a relatively affordable fix, labor rates do vary depending on where in the country you live.
- Whether Scaffolding or Ladders Are Needed: Larger homes and second-story structures will require specialty equipment which could cost more. Overall, access to your gutters is important and gutters that are difficult to reach could end up costing you more.
- DIY vs. Professional Labor: As with most projects, a DIY fix is cheaper. Of course if you do it wrong the first time, you could end up paying more for a costly mistake down the line.
DIY vs. Professional Gutter Sealing: What’s the Best Choice for Me?
DIY Sealing
Unlike many home fix-it projects, gutter sealing is extremely DIY friendly. You’ll only pay for the cost of materials, which at $30 to $100 depending on type and size of your home, is extremely affordable. And, it’s a pretty straight forward process.
Choosing the DIY route is best when you have an isolated leak or minor cracks. In most cases, you’ll need a ladder and cleaner to get started. Once the surfaces are clean and dry, you can apply your sealant or tape of choice. In some cases, you might want to use gloves.
Of course, all DIY projects come with some risk. Improper sealing and missing problem areas could lead to more expensive fixes down the road. And using a ladder can be inherently dangerous for some. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to hire a professional contractor.
Professional Sealing
Professional gutter sealing is relatively affordable, even if it’s more expensive than doing it yourself. And in many cases, the cost is worth it. Two-story homes especially will require more equipment and come with more risk. In these cases, it’s often worth it to hire a professional.
Professional sealing will range in price from $100 to $350 depending on materials and your home’s size. This is ideal for homes whose gutter systems have wide spread issues. It’s also ideal when seeking the best materials to get the job done.
When you hire a professional, you’ll ensure expert application of the sealing products, a full inspection of the problem and oftentimes a warranty, covering the job should you experience a leak in the future.
Conclusion
Gutter sealing is a low-cost home maintenance project with high reward. By keeping up with this simple task, you’ll prevent much more costly fixes related to water damage. Whether you tackle gutter sealing yourself or bring in a pro, addressing leaks early can prevent thousands in future repairs. With costs averaging $220, it’s a small price to pay for long-term protection and peace of mind.
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