Gutters, soffit and fascia
Gutters, soffit and fascia: the edge of the roof, done right
Water that leaves the roof has to go somewhere. New seamless gutters with downspouts routed away from the foundation, and fascia and soffit that are solid and sealed, are what keep a basement dry and the roof edge from rotting. Josh does this work on its own or with a roof or siding job.
In short
Gutters are the cheapest part of a house to replace and the most expensive to ignore. Overflowing gutters dump water next to the foundation, which is where the wet basement comes from. Gutters that pull away from the fascia mean the fascia board behind them is rotting. Ice in clogged gutters is half of why ice dams form.
Fox Gables installs seamless aluminum gutters formed on site to the exact length of each run, replaces or wraps the fascia and soffit behind them, and routes downspouts so the water ends up away from the house. It is usually done right after a new roof or with new siding, because that is when the fascia is exposed, but it is a regular stand-alone job too.
Seamless gutters
Seamless gutters are run from a machine in the truck in one continuous piece per side of the house, so the only seams are at the corners and outlets. Josh installs 5-inch K-style gutters as standard, with 6-inch on long roof runs and steep metal roofs that shed a lot of water fast. Hangers go every 24 inches with screws into the rafter tails, not spikes into the fascia. Downspouts are 2x3 inch or 3x4 inch, with extensions or underground drains to carry the water away.
Aluminum in .032 gauge is the standard, in about twenty colors to match trim. Copper and galvanized half-round gutters are available for historic homes.
Gutter guards
Guards are worth it where there are trees. Josh installs aluminum micro-mesh and perforated guards that let water in and keep leaves and maple seeds out, screwed to the gutter and tucked under the drip edge so they do not lift the shingles. He does not install the foam inserts or the reverse-curve covers that cost more and cause overflow in a hard rain.
Soffit and fascia
The fascia is the board the gutter hangs on. The soffit is the underside of the overhang. On houses from before about 1980 both are usually wood, painted many times and rotting at the ends where the gutter overflowed. Josh either replaces the rotted sections and wraps the fascia in aluminum coil stock, or replaces the whole run with new wood under a wrap, and installs vented aluminum or vinyl soffit panels.
Vented soffit matters for the roof. The attic needs intake air at the eaves for the ridge vent to work, and solid wood soffits give it none. New vented soffit is often the single biggest improvement to attic ventilation on an older house.
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 5-inch seamless aluminum gutter, per linear foot | $9 to $14 |
| 6-inch seamless aluminum gutter, per linear foot | $12 to $18 |
| Downspout, per linear foot | $8 to $12 |
| Gutter guards, per linear foot | $8 to $16 |
| Fascia wrap, per linear foot | $8 to $14 |
| Fascia replacement and wrap, per linear foot | $14 to $24 |
| Vented soffit, per linear foot | $10 to $20 |
| Gutter repair or re-hang, one area | $200 to $600 |
Typical whole-house jobs
A ranch or Cape Cod with 120 to 160 feet of gutter and four downspouts usually runs $1,500 to $2,800 for new seamless gutters. Adding fascia wrap and vented soffit around the same house brings it to $4,500 to $8,000. A two-story colonial is proportionally more. Josh will measure and give an exact number.
Signs the gutters, soffit or fascia need attention
- Gutters overflowing in a normal rain
- Gutters sagging or pulling away from the house
- Peeling paint or dark stains on the fascia board
- Water in the basement after rain
- Birds, bees or squirrels getting into the soffit
- Ice dams every winter
- Seams dripping at the corners
How a job goes
From the first call to the walkthrough
- 1
Call or send the form
Josh calls back the same day, usually within a couple of hours. Tell him what is going on and he will ask a few questions.
- 2
Josh comes out and looks
On the roof, in the attic, under the deck. He measures, takes photos, and brings samples in the truck. No sales presentation.
- 3
You get a written estimate
Materials named by brand, the scope spelled out, a price that does not expire at midnight. Over $500 it is a written contract, as Pennsylvania requires.
- 4
The work gets done
Materials delivered, the job done by Josh with help as the job needs, the site cleaned every day, permits and inspections handled.
- 5
Walkthrough, then you pay
Josh walks the finished job with you. Anything on the list gets done. Final payment when you are satisfied.
Related projects
This work, on real houses
Womelsdorf · Berks County
New front porch, soffit, gutters and windows for a laundromat
A commercial storefront in Womelsdorf got a new covered porch, soffit, gutters and two new windows.
Lancaster County · Lancaster County
Metal roofing on a Lancaster County farmhouse and outbuilding
Dark ribbed metal panels on a two-story farmhouse, plus a large metal roof on an agricultural building.
Questions people ask
Should I replace gutters when I replace the roof?
If they are more than 15 years old, yes. The roof job exposes the fascia and the new drip edge is installed to work with new gutters. It costs less together.
5-inch or 6-inch gutters?
5-inch for most houses. 6-inch on long roof runs, steep roofs and metal roofs that shed water fast.
Do gutter guards really work?
Micro-mesh and perforated aluminum guards work well against leaves and seeds and need a rinse every few years. Josh does not install the foam or reverse-curve types.
Can you fix a gutter that is pulling away?
Yes, usually by replacing the rotted fascia behind it and re-hanging with screws into solid wood.
Do you bury downspout drains?
Yes. Underground drains to a pop-up emitter or daylight are the best way to keep water away from the foundation.
Free estimate
Get a number, not a pitch.
Tell Josh what the house needs. He will call back, come out, measure, and give you a written estimate with the materials named.
(717) 598-7728Calls and texts answered seven days a week. Estimates by appointment, Monday to Saturday.
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