Gutter replacement
Gutter Replacement in Edinburgh
When gutters keep leaking after repairs, sag between brackets or have rusted through, replacing the run is usually cheaper than paying for another repair next winter. We replace gutters and downpipes on tenements, houses and commercial buildings across Edinburgh and the surrounding area, in cast iron or uPVC.
- Cast iron & uPVC
- Gutters & downpipes
- Tenements & houses
- Fully insured
Repair or replace?
Not every leaking gutter needs replacing. A single failed joint, a loose bracket or a blocked outlet is a gutter repair, and overflowing caused by moss and leaves is a gutter clean. Replacement makes sense when:
- several joints along the same run are leaking
- cast iron has rusted through or cracked, rather than just needing paint
- the run has lost its fall and holds standing water
- brackets have rotted out of the fascia or stonework
- the gutter is too small for the roof and overflows in heavy rain
- it has already been repaired more than once
We will tell you which it is. If a repair will do the job, we will quote for the repair.
Cast iron gutters and downpipes
Most of Edinburgh’s tenements and older houses have cast iron rainwater goods. Well-maintained cast iron lasts a long time, so we only replace the sections that have failed and keep the sound ones. New sections are matched to the existing profile, primed and painted. On listed buildings and in conservation areas, like-for-like cast iron is normally expected, and we will flag it if the work may need consent.
uPVC gutters
uPVC is lighter and cheaper, and suits many modern houses and extensions. Its weak points are joints that perish and brackets set too far apart, which let the run sag. When we replace uPVC we space the brackets properly and set a steady fall to the outlet.
Downpipes
A new gutter will still overflow if the downpipe below it is blocked or split. We check the downpipes, hoppers and outlets on every job and replace them where needed, so water is carried down the pipe and into the drain instead of down the stonework.
Tenement gutters
Tenement rainwater systems are usually shared, so a failing gutter affects every flat below it: damp patches, stained stonework and water running down the stair. We provide a written quote and photos that can be shared between owners or passed to your factor. The City of Edinburgh Council’s Shared Repairs Service has guidance on agreeing shared repairs.
Access
High gutters on four- and five-storey tenements, rear elevations and courtyards are often the hardest part of the job to price. Where it is safe and sensible we replace gutters by rope access, which avoids the cost of scaffolding and a scaffold permit. Long runs or heavy cast iron replacements can still need scaffolding or a cherry picker, and we will explain why if they do. Rope access technicians on our jobs are IRATA trained and supervised by IRATA Level 3 technicians.
Commercial buildings
We replace gutters, box gutter outlets and downpipes on shops, offices, churches and managed blocks. Where leaks are affecting entrances, walkways or tenant areas, we look at the whole drainage route, not only the section that is overflowing.
What you get
- A written quote that explains what is failing and why
- Before and after photos
- Our workmanship guarantee. The length depends on the work and is confirmed in writing on your quote.
- £5 million public liability and £5 million employer’s liability insurance
Areas we cover
Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, including Leith, Portobello, Morningside, Marchmont, Stockbridge, south Edinburgh, Musselburgh and Midlothian.
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
How long does gutter replacement take?
Most houses and single tenement elevations take a day or two. Larger buildings, or jobs that need scaffolding, take longer. We give you the expected duration on the quote.
Can you replace only part of a gutter run?
Yes. On cast iron in particular, we usually replace the failed sections and keep the rest.
Should I replace cast iron with uPVC?
On a listed building or in a conservation area, usually not. Elsewhere it is your choice. uPVC costs less to install, while cast iron lasts longer and suits traditional buildings.
Do you need scaffolding?
Often not. Many gutter replacements can be done by rope access. We decide the access method when we quote.
Related services
Get a gutter replacement quote
Tell us about the job and send a photo if you can. We cover Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.