Gutters in hurricane season: a Florida guide

Two seasons in one

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and it overlaps almost exactly with Florida’s rainy season. At Tampa International Airport, for example, the 1991–2020 normal is 49.48 inches of rain a year, and August alone averages about 9 inches, according to the Florida Climate Center. Gutters have to handle daily afternoon storms for months, and then possibly a hurricane on top.

The 2024 season showed both sides. In late September, Hurricane Helene pushed storm surge into Tampa Bay. Two weeks later, on October 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm with winds estimated at 120 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Across the region, roofs, soffits and gutters took damage, and many homes have had roofs replaced since.

Before the season: a gutter checklist

• Clear the channel and downspouts. A gutter full of oak leaves and roof grit is heavier and overflows in the first downpour.
• Check the fasteners. Look for gutters leaning forward, hangers that have backed out, and sections that move when you tug gently from a ladder. Loose gutters can become projectiles in high winds.
• Check the slope and seams. Standing water after rain or drips from corners point to problems that are cheaper to fix before the season.
• Check the fascia. Soft or stained wood means water has been getting behind the gutter, and hangers cannot hold in it.
• Route downspouts away from the foundation, stucco walls, pool decks and entries.
• Trim branches that overhang the roof, which reduces both debris and the risk of limbs landing on the gutters.

Upgrades that make gutters sturdier

Hidden hangers, closely spaced

Hidden hangers screwed through the gutter into the fascia and rafter tails hold far better than old spike-and-ferrule systems. Angi’s hanger-spacing guide recommends no more than 3 feet between hangers, and about 2 feet in areas with heavy rain. Ask each installer for the hanger type and spacing in writing.

Heavier material and corrosion-resistant fasteners

Near the coast, salt air corrodes thin metal and plain steel screws. Heavier-gauge aluminum with stainless or coated fasteners lasts longer and bends less easily.

Size for the downpour

Large hip roofs, common on Florida block homes, send a lot of water to each corner. 6-inch gutters with 3x4-inch downspouts handle tropical downpours much better than 5-inch gutters. HomeGuide puts the upgrade at about $1 to $2 more per foot. See 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters.

Guards that stay put

Guards keep oak leaves out, but loose guards can blow off in high winds. Choose products that screw to the gutter and are designed for high-wind areas.

After a storm: what to check

• Gutters bent, pulled away or missing sections
• Downspouts crushed or disconnected
• Damaged fascia and soffit, which can let wind-driven rain into the attic
• Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls
• Debris packed into outlets

Photograph everything before cleanup, from several angles, and note the date. Stay off the roof and ladders until conditions are safe and power lines are clear.

Hiring after a hurricane

After a major storm, demand for roofers and gutter installers spikes, and so do scams. A few rules:

• Verify the license. Florida regulates construction contractors through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and many counties add their own licensing. Ask for the license number and look it up on the DBPR online license search.
• Ask for insurance. Liability and workers’ compensation.
• Get a written contract with the scope, materials, hanger spacing, price and start date.
• Do not pay in full up front, and be careful with any document that assigns your insurance benefits to a contractor.
• Ask about permits. Rules for gutters vary by county and city, and a permit is more likely when the gutters are part of a re-roof.

Questions to ask a Florida gutter installer

• What is your license number, and which county licenses do you hold?
• What hanger type and spacing do you use, and what do the hangers fasten into?
• What gauge of aluminum, and what fasteners do you use near salt water?
• Will the gutters be 5-inch or 6-inch, and how many 3x4-inch downspouts?
• Does my job need a permit, and who pulls it?
• How are guards fastened, and are they rated for high winds?

Water around the foundation after the storm

After days of tropical rain, the ground around a house is saturated, and any roof water that lands next to the foundation has nowhere to go. That is when downspouts matter most. Make sure every downspout still has its extension or drain connection after the storm, clear outlets packed with leaves, and check that water flows away from the slab, pool deck and entries rather than pooling. If certain corners always flood, an installer can add downspouts or reroute them as part of the repair.

New roof? Replace the gutters with it

If your roof is being replaced after storm damage, it is usually the best time for new gutters. The old gutters often have to come off anyway, the fascia and drip edge are exposed and can be repaired, and the new gutters go up on a sound, straight edge. Coordinating both avoids paying for a second setup and lets any insurance claim cover the damage together.

What it costs in Florida

Published figures for orientation only, not quotes.

Local pages: Tampa Bay, South Florida, Orlando, Jacksonville and the rest of Florida. Along the Texas coast, see Houston.

Sources

• Florida Climate Center (FSU): Tampa 1991–2020 normals
• The Weather Network: Hurricane Helene storm surge across Tampa Bay (September 2024)
• FOX: Hurricane Milton makes landfall as a Category 3 storm (National Hurricane Center data)
• Angi: How far apart should gutter hangers be?
• HomeGuide: Seamless gutters cost
• Angi: How much do seamless gutters cost in Tampa, FL?
• Angi: How much does gutter guard installation cost in Tampa, FL?
• Florida DBPR: Verify a license