Gutter, fascia and downpipe replacement: the signs and the cost

Gutters need replacing, not just cleaning, when they have rusted through, split at the joins, sag or have lost their fall so water sits in them, or when the fascia behind them has rotted and can no longer hold them straight. Downpipes need replacing when they are cracked, rusted, crushed or discharging against the house. The cost of gutter replacement depends mainly on how many metres you need, the profile and material, the height of the house, and whether fascia and downpipes are part of the job.

Signs your gutters need replacing

• Rust holes or flaking rust, especially along the bottom of the gutter and at the joins
• Leaking joins and corners that drip even after the gutter has been cleaned
• Sagging sections or a gutter pulling away from the house
• Water sitting in the gutter days after rain, which means it has lost its fall toward the downpipes
• Overflow on the front or back edge even when the gutter is clear
• Soft, stained or rotting fascia boards behind the gutter
• Peeling paint or water stains on the eaves and walls below

Clean, repair or replace?

A blocked but sound gutter just needs a clean. A short rusted section or a leaking join can sometimes be repaired. When rust is spread along the run, several joins are leaking, or the gutter has sagged because the fascia behind it has rotted, replacement is usually the better spend, because patching an old gutter tends to move the problem a metre along. On our gutters, downpipes and flashings page we explain how new guttering is set to the correct fall so water actually reaches the downpipes.

Gutter and fascia replacement: why the fascia matters

The fascia is the board along the roof edge that the gutter is fixed to. Years of overflow soak into it, and once it rots it cannot hold the gutter's line, so the gutter sags, holds more water and overflows more. Replacing gutters onto rotten fascia is wasted money. If the fascia is soft, it should be repaired or replaced at the same time.

Downpipes and where the water goes

Downpipes carry the roof's water to the stormwater system. Signs they need attention:

• Cracked, split or rusted sections, or joints that have pulled apart
• A downpipe that has been crushed or knocked loose
• Water spilling out at the top in heavy rain, which can mean a blocked downpipe or a blocked pipe below ground
• Water discharging against the house instead of being directed away from the footings

The SA SES lists clearing gutters, downpipes and drains as one of the basic steps to prepare a home for storms (SES: Storm). A gutter is only as good as the downpipe it drains into.

A note on box gutters

Box gutters sit inside the roof line, between a roof and a parapet wall or between two roof sections. Because they are inside the building's footprint, a blocked or rusted box gutter overflows into the house rather than over the edge. If you have one, it is worth having it and its outlets checked before the wet season. Our guide to why roofs leak covers this in more detail.

What affects the cost of gutter replacement

• Length. Gutters are priced by the metre, so the size and shape of the house is the biggest factor.
• Material and profile. Plain Zincalume, colour-coated steel such as Colorbond, and stainless steel all cost different amounts, as do different gutter profiles.
• Height and access. Two-storey work and tight access need more setup.
• Fascia. Rotten fascia adds materials and labour.
• Downpipes. How many need replacing, and whether new ones are needed to cope with the roof area.
• Old gutter removal. Stripping and disposing of the old guttering.

For budgeting, the independent What's The Damage? guide lists gutter replacement in Adelaide at $37 to $100 per metre and downpipe replacement at $32 to $83 per metre (Adelaide roofing cost guide, updated October 2026). These are published third-party ranges, not A1 Roofing prices. Every job is quoted individually.

Getting a quote

A few photos of the gutters, fascia and downpipes, taken from the ground, are usually enough for Sam to tell you whether you need a clean, a repair or replacement. Send them through our quote form. Sam is based in Redwood Park and replaces gutters, fascia and downpipes across Tea Tree Gully, Modbury, Golden Grove, Salisbury and the rest of Adelaide. If you just need a clean before winter, that sits under our maintenance and inspections service.