Should I replace 20 year old gutters?

Short answer: yes — in most cases, 20-year-old gutters are at or past their practical service life and should strongly be considered for replacement, especially in Metro Vancouver’s wet, debris-heavy climate.

From a roofer’s and exterior contractor’s perspective, here’s how to decide based on reality — not sales talk.

Typical gutter lifespan (real-world)

In coastal BC conditions:

• Aluminum gutters:~15–25 years
• Steel gutters:~20–30 years (if well maintained)
• Vinyl/PVC:~10–20 years
• Copper: 40+ years

At 20 years, most standard aluminum systems are in the decline phase, even if they “look okay.”

Clear signs you should replace (not just repair)

If you see any of these, replacement is usually smarter than patching:

1. Leaks at seams or corners

• Sealant failures are common after 15–20 years.
• Once seams start leaking, it’s usually a system-wide aging issue.

2. Sagging or pulling away

This often means:

• Fascia fasteners are failing
• Gutter metal has lost rigidity
• Water is sitting where it shouldn’t

This leads to fascia rot and soffit damage.

3. Rust, corrosion, or pinholes

• Even small pinholes mean the metal is thinning.
• You can’t “caulk your way” out of metal fatigue.

4. Overflow during heavy rain

Common causes:

• Undersized gutters
• Improper slope
• Internal corrosion reducing capacity

With Vancouver rain intensity, old gutters often can’t keep up.

5. Staining on siding or fascia

This usually means water is getting behind the gutter — a big hidden damage risk.

Why 20-year-old gutters fail faster in Vancouver

Local conditions matter:

• Heavy rainfall
• Moss and organic debris
• Evergreen needles
• Freeze/thaw cycles in winter
• Constant wet fascia boards

Even decent gutters age faster here than in dry climates.

Repair vs replace (honest guidance)

Repair makes sense if:

• ✔ Only one small section is damaged
• ✔ Fasteners are still solid
• ✔ Metal is not thinning
• ✔ No widespread seam failure

Replace makes sense if:

• ✔ Multiple leaks
• ✔ Sagging across long runs
• ✔ Rust or pinholes
• ✔ You’re doing a new roof
• ✔ Fascia/soffit work is needed

If you’re replacing the roof, it’s almost always smarter to replace old gutters at the same time. Labor overlap saves money and avoids disturbing new shingles or metal later.

Cost reality (rough Vancouver ranges)

For standard aluminum seamless gutters:

• $8 – $15 per linear foot installed
• Typical home: $1,200 – $2,500+
• Larger homes: $2,500 – $4,000+

Not cheap — but way cheaper than fascia rot, soffit repairs, or foundation water issues.

Roofer truth (from the field)

I see this all the time:

Homeowners keep 20+ year old gutters to “save money”… Then 1–3 years later they’re paying for:

• Rotten fascia
• Water behind siding
• Mold in soffits
• Stained exterior finishes

At that point, the gutter replacement becomes part of a much bigger bill.

Simple decision rule

Ask yourself:

• Are they leaking in more than one spot?
• Are they sagging anywhere?
• Are you replacing your roof soon?

If yes to any of those → replacement is usually the smarter long-term move.

If you want, tell me:

• Material (aluminum, steel, etc.)
• Any visible issues
• Whether you’re doing a roof soon
• City (Surrey, Vancouver, Langley, etc.)

I can tell you if you’re better off repairing for now or biting the bullet and replacing — based on what actually fails around here.