Many older Louisville homes, especially in the Highlands, Crescent Hill, Germantown and Old Louisville, have box gutters. Instead of hanging off the roof edge, they're built into the roof or the cornice and lined with metal. When they leak, the water goes into the house instead of over the side.
Signs your box gutter is failing
- Water stains or peeling paint on the cornice or soffit below the gutter
- Ceiling stains in upstairs rooms along an exterior wall
- Rust spots, cracks or standing water inside the gutter lining
- Rotting wood trim at the roof edge
Why they leak
Most box gutters were lined with tin or galvanized steel decades ago. Over time the lining rusts through, seams split from heat and cold, and debris holds water against the metal. Louisville's freeze-thaw winters speed that up.
Repair options
- Patch and reseal: fixes small holes and split seams when the lining is mostly sound
- Reline: a new lining (often a rubber membrane or new metal) laid into the existing box, which keeps the original look
- Rebuild: replacing rotted wood framing before relining, when water has been getting in for a long time
Nationally, box gutter repair runs about $19 to $76 per linear foot depending on how much needs replacing. Relining a long run or rebuilding rotted framing costs more than a simple patch.
Don't just cover them up
Some contractors suggest capping box gutters and hanging regular gutters in front. That can work, but it changes the look of a historic home and can trap moisture if it's done poorly. We'll explain the trade-offs so you can choose.
Free inspection
We'll look at your box gutters, tell you what's actually wrong and give you a written price before any work starts.
Sources: HomeGnome: gutter repair cost (box gutters)
Related services: Gutter Repair · Gutter Guards
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