Gutter repairs
Gutter Repairs in Edinburgh
Leaking or overflowing gutters soak stonework, stain walls and eventually cause damp and timber decay inside. We repair cast iron, aluminium and plastic gutters and downpipes on houses, tenements and commercial buildings across Edinburgh, using rope access where it saves the cost of scaffolding.
- Cast iron specialists
- Downpipes & hoppers
- Rope access for high rones
- Fully insured
Gutter problems we repair
- leaking joints and failed sealant
- cracked or split cast iron sections
- sagging or misaligned gutters that hold water
- loose or broken brackets
- cracked, leaking or blocked downpipes
- corroded hopper heads and outlets
- overflowing gutters at valleys and outlets
If the gutters are simply blocked, you may only need gutter cleaning.
Cast iron gutters
Many Edinburgh tenements and villas still have their original cast iron rones and downpipes. Kept painted and sealed, cast iron lasts a very long time. We can:
- reseal and rebolt leaking joints
- replace cracked sections with new cast iron to match
- replace corroded brackets
- repair or replace hopper heads and downpipes
On listed buildings and in conservation areas, cast iron should usually be replaced like for like. More in our guide to cast iron gutter repairs and maintenance.
Gutter painting and rust protection
Corrosion starts where paint fails. We wire-brush or mechanically clean back rust, prime, and apply a protective topcoat, with colour matching for listed properties where required.
Gutter replacement
Where gutters are beyond repair we replace them in cast iron or uPVC, depending on the building and any conservation requirements. See gutter replacement.
How we reach high gutters
Ladder or roof access on lower buildings. Rope access for most tenement and high-level gutters. Scaffolding or a powered access platform for long runs of replacement where rope access is not practical. We will tell you which applies.
Why gutters fail on Edinburgh buildings
Blocked outlets
Moss, leaves and silt collect at outlets and hopper heads. Water backs up, overflows and soaks the wall below, even when the gutter itself is sound.
Failed joints
Cast iron sections are bolted together with a sealant between them. When the sealant dries out, each joint drips. Where the cast iron is still sound, resealing is usually far cheaper than replacement. Heavily corroded sections need replacing.
Corroded brackets
Brackets rust where paint has failed, letting the run drop and lose its fall. Water then sits in the gutter and spills over the low point.
Wrong falls
Gutters need a steady fall to the outlet. Runs that have been knocked or poorly refitted hold standing water, which speeds up corrosion.
Cracked sections
Frost, impact or old repairs can crack cast iron. A cracked section is replaced with new cast iron of the same profile.
Undersized gutters
Some extensions and older repairs use gutters too small for the roof area. They cope with light rain but overflow in a downpour.
Tenement gutters and shared repairs
On a tenement, the gutters are usually common property, so a repair is shared between the owners. We provide a written quote and photos showing the defect, which can be passed to every owner or to your factor so a decision can be made quickly. High rones on four- and five-storey tenements are often reached by rope access, which avoids the cost of scaffolding for a short repair.
Written quoteThe work, materials and access method explained
PhotosBefore and after photos of the work
GuaranteedWorkmanship guarantee confirmed in writing on your quote
£5 millionPublic liability and employer’s liability insurance
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can you paint cast iron gutters?
Yes. We clean back rust, prime and topcoat cast iron gutters and downpipes, which is the best way to make them last. It is often done alongside joint repairs.
How do I know my gutters need repairing?
Water dripping from joints, staining or green streaks on the wall below, overflowing in heavy rain, visible sagging, or rust on cast iron.
What damage can a leaking gutter cause?
Saturated stonework, washed-out pointing, damp patches inside, timber decay in wall heads and, over time, frost damage to stone.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes. We repair and replace like for like with cast iron where required.
Will I need scaffolding?
Usually not for repairs. Full replacement of long runs may need scaffolding or a platform.
How soon can you attend?
We book repairs in around our planned work and will give you a date when we quote. If water is coming in, call us and we will tell you when we can attend.
How much does a gutter repair cost?
It depends on the height of the building, the repair and the access needed. Send us photos and the address for a quote.
Related services
Get a gutter repair quote
Tell us about the job and send a photo if you can. We cover Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.