question about box gutters

17 years ago

I posted earlier about replacing my 80 yr. old slate roof, and it looks like it's time to do that. So now the next question is what should I do about the box gutter that runs along the front of my house. (brick colonial) It is a constant source of problems. Do we replace it or repair it? If it's replaced, do we put in another box gutter? Thanks.

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Comments (2)

sycamore_guy
17 years ago
kjb -
those of us with old roofs usually have old gutters to go along. We have box gutters and more than likely the same problems.

If you have not yet gotten a quote for repair of your box gutters be sure to be sitting down when it comes in. Without knowing the size of your house I cannot guess how much your gutters will cost to repair, but to reline gutters can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

We got the quotes and realized we just could not afford that. Ripping off the gutters and putting in something else was not even an option in my mind. First, it would not be that much cheaper, and second, it would change the look of the house.

We had a guy clean our gutters, patch really bad spots with epoxy and fiberglass, then paint the inside with pickup truck bed liner material (Herculiner in our case). He told us it has worked well for him in sealing leaks.

In our case, the leaks continued. He was going to come back and put on a second coat, but while I was waiting I tried doing one gutter myself with a liquid EPDM rubber. This stuff gets painted on and sets up like a flexible rubber liner. It is only a month or so old so I cannot know how it will hold up, but so far it is working well. It is supposed to last for years, so I hope this has bought some time.

You can read a thread about box gutters over at the Old House forum at http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/oldhouse/msg110817128649.html?12
kjb120
Original Author
17 years ago
sycamore guy- as much as I love my old house, it's killing me $ wise.
I just heard from another roofer (highly recommended by friend and neighbor) who thinks my slate is fine but the box gutter is causing all the leaks, not the roof. He recommends taking it out- it's poorly repaired (no surprise given what we've discovered from PO) and totally rotten, along with the fascia board. We would redo the gutters & downspouts in copper- it would look better. (One downspout is copper, other is not-i'm betting PO would not pay for a copper replacement;) We do have to replace about 3 feet of slate on the front. So, part of me thinks this is a lot of slate and repair work to not get a whole new roof too.

Anyway, this is why I never know what to do about my roof- every roofer tells me a different story. The other estimate I received did not even mention the box gutter!
I'm waiting on more estimates, but I'm feeling very unsure about what the problem or needs really are.
Thanks for listening. Wish me luck.
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