After a hurricane or tropical storm, gutters are one of the first things homeowners notice: a section hanging off the corner, a downspout in the neighbor’s yard, a run that suddenly sags. Some of that is a quick repair. Some of it means the system is done. Here’s how to tell the difference, what to do first, and the insurance deadlines Florida homeowners need to know.
QUICK ANSWER
Should you repair or replace storm-damaged gutters?
Repair is usually fine for a single loose section, a disconnected downspout or a leaking corner on a system that was in good shape before the storm. Replacement makes more sense when several sections are bent or torn off, the fascia behind them is damaged, or the gutters were already undersized or near the end of their life. Photograph everything before anything is fixed, and in Florida, report the damage to your insurer within one year of the hurricane’s landfall.
First: stay safe and document
- Stay off ladders and roofs while things are wet and winds are gusting.
- Keep clear of gutters near downed power lines or service drops.
- Photograph and video every side of the house, close up and from a distance, before anything is moved or repaired.
- Pick up downspouts and pieces that came off and keep them. They’re part of the record.
- If water is getting into the house, take reasonable steps to stop more damage, and keep receipts.
Repair or replace: how we decide
| What you see | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One downspout knocked loose | Repair | Re-attach, re-strap, replace a crushed elbow |
| A corner leaking after the storm | Repair | Clean and reseal, then check why it opened |
| One section pulled off the fascia, fascia solid | Repair | Re-hang with new hidden hangers |
| Several sections bent, kinked or torn off | Replace | Bent aluminum doesn’t hold its pitch |
| Gutter pulled off with rotted fascia | Replace fascia, then re-hang or replace | Nothing holds on a rotted board |
| Water poured over the edge during the storm | Often replace | Usually undersized or too few downspouts |
| Old system that was already leaking at every seam | Replace | The storm just finished the job |
We fix what can be fixed and tell you straight when a run is better replaced. We don’t re-pitch sagging gutters and call it a day, because sagging after a storm usually means the hangers, the fascia or the gutter itself has failed. Patching it means paying for it twice.
Florida insurance deadlines to know
Florida law sets firm notice deadlines for property claims:
- New or reopened claims: notice must be given within 1 year after the date of loss.
- Supplemental claims (more damage found from the same event): within 18 months.
- For hurricanes, the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall.
Gutter damage alone is often close to a deductible, so talk to your agent about whether a claim makes sense. Either way, your photos and a written assessment from a licensed contractor will help. We’re not adjusters and we don’t handle claims, but we’ll give you a clear written description and photos of what we find.
Watch out for storm chasers
After every major storm, door-knockers and new “gutter companies” show up across Lee and Collier counties. Unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency is a felony in Florida, and it’s still common. Before you sign anything:
- Get a Florida contractor’s license number and verify it yourself.
- Don’t hand over a large cash deposit to someone you just met.
- Get the scope, gutter size, gauge and warranty in writing.
- Be wary of anyone pushing you to sign today.
Get ahead of the next one
Gutters fail in storms mostly for the same reasons: clogs, undersized gutters, too few downspouts, hangers spaced too far apart and rotted fascia. A spring cleaning and inspection catches most of it. Our Rain Ready Club members get two visits a year, and priority scheduling after a storm, when everyone else is waiting.
Questions we get
How soon can you come out after a storm?
As soon as conditions are safe. Rain Ready Club members go to the front of the line.
Does homeowners insurance cover gutter damage?
It depends on your policy, deductible and the cause of the damage. Talk to your agent and document everything first.
Can I just re-hang the gutters myself?
If a single section came off a solid fascia board, maybe. If the aluminum is bent or the fascia is soft, re-hanging it won’t hold through the next storm.
Storm damage? Get a straight answer.
We’ll look at the whole system, photograph what we find and tell you honestly whether it’s a repair or a replacement.
Written by Garrett Schempp, co-owner of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters of Fort Myers–Naples, a veteran-owned, state-licensed gutter company (CBC1270165) based in south Fort Myers.